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Thirteen dead amid California heavy rains and mudslides | Thirteen dead amid California heavy rains and mudslides |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 13 people are dead amid "waist-deep" mudslides in Southern California, where heavy rains triggered flooding, say officials. | |
Some 163 people have been taken to hospital. Twenty had "storm-related injuries" and four were critically hurt. | |
A group of up to 300 people are reportedly trapped in Romero Canyon, east of Santa Barbara. | |
Police said the scene "looked like a World War One battlefield". | |
The flooding and mudslides, affecting areas scorched by wildfires last month, have shut down more than 30 miles (48km) of the main coastal highway. | |
Emergency services said a number of people are unaccounted for and they expect the death toll to rise. | |
Thousands fled the deluge and more than 50 rescues have been performed. | |
The hardest hit homes were those that were not in the evacuation zone, officials say. | |
Heavy rain run-off caused mudflow in the community of Montecito, where some homes were knocked from their foundations, said Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman Mike Eliason. | |
Boulders the size of small cars were rolling down hillsides and blocking roads, reports BBC News Los Angeles correspondent James Cook. | |
Among those taken to safety was a 14-year-old girl who had been trapped for hours in the ruins of her home. | Among those taken to safety was a 14-year-old girl who had been trapped for hours in the ruins of her home. |
The fire department published a picture of the girl encased in mud as she was led to safety. | The fire department published a picture of the girl encased in mud as she was led to safety. |
County Fire Captain Dave Zaniboni said that five people were found dead on Tuesday in Montecito and may have been killed as result of the storm. | County Fire Captain Dave Zaniboni said that five people were found dead on Tuesday in Montecito and may have been killed as result of the storm. |
The upmarket neighbourhood includes homes owned by celebrities such as actor Rob Lowe and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres. | The upmarket neighbourhood includes homes owned by celebrities such as actor Rob Lowe and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres. |
Oprah Winfrey also has a property in Montecito that is reportedly worth nearly $90m (£66m). | Oprah Winfrey also has a property in Montecito that is reportedly worth nearly $90m (£66m). |
The US Coast Guard has sent "multiple airships to support rescue operations" and warn the public not to fly drones, otherwise the flights will force to be grounded. | The US Coast Guard has sent "multiple airships to support rescue operations" and warn the public not to fly drones, otherwise the flights will force to be grounded. |
Wildfires in December, including the Thomas Fire, swept through the area burning vegetation that helps prevent flooding and landslides. | Wildfires in December, including the Thomas Fire, swept through the area burning vegetation that helps prevent flooding and landslides. |
Thousands of California residents were asked to evacuate on Monday for the second time in two months. | Thousands of California residents were asked to evacuate on Monday for the second time in two months. |
In Burbank, where waves of mud swept away vehicles, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order. | In Burbank, where waves of mud swept away vehicles, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order. |
Homeowners in the area shared photos of mud in their homes. | Homeowners in the area shared photos of mud in their homes. |
Several roads are closed due to mudslides and debris, including the major thoroughfare Highway 101. | Several roads are closed due to mudslides and debris, including the major thoroughfare Highway 101. |
After a wildfire, burned vegetation and charred soil create a water repellent layer which blocks water absorption and leads to an increased risk of mudslides and floods. | After a wildfire, burned vegetation and charred soil create a water repellent layer which blocks water absorption and leads to an increased risk of mudslides and floods. |
"Recent burn areas will be especially vulnerable where dangerous mud and debris flows are possible," said the National Weather Service in a statement. | "Recent burn areas will be especially vulnerable where dangerous mud and debris flows are possible," said the National Weather Service in a statement. |
The Federal Emergency Management Agency shared a warning for California homeowners explaining that homes that had never flooded before were now at risk. | The Federal Emergency Management Agency shared a warning for California homeowners explaining that homes that had never flooded before were now at risk. |
About 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders on Monday. | About 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders on Monday. |
This comes after a record-setting year of $306bn (£226bn) of weather and climate-related disaster costs in the United States, the third warmest year on record, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. | |
The storm over California is expected to produce 4 inches to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm) in the foothills and 9in (23cm) in select areas. | The storm over California is expected to produce 4 inches to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm) in the foothills and 9in (23cm) in select areas. |
Snow is falling at higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service. | Snow is falling at higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service. |