Death toll climbs as rescuers search for missing in California mudslides
Posted January 10, 2018 5:34 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MONTECITO, Calif. – Authorities now say 17 people have died in Southern California mudslides and more than a dozen others are missing.
The death toll rose Wednesday as searchers pulled two more bodies from the inundated area in the Santa Barbara County enclave of Montecito.
Montecito Fire Division Chief Kevin Taylor says search teams made some successful rescues today.
“I am very pleased to report that we have over 500 responders working on this search and rescue effort and 10 search dogs. They have successfully rescued three people since this morning.”
Flash floods struck in the early morning hours Tuesday when a huge amount of rain fell in a few minutes on hills and mountain slopes stripped bare last month by the largest wildfire in recorded California history. The Thomas fire destroyed more than 1,000 structures.
Authorities say at least 100 homes have been destroyed, and according to a county statement, an additional 300 homes were damaged.
Hundreds of firefighters and others continue to hunt through the mud and wreckage. Three people were rescued Wednesday and authorities say about 75 per cent of the devastated area has been searched.
Meanwhile, California’s main north-south coastal highway will remain closed until at least Monday after the storm in fire-scarred areas of Montecito and adjacent Santa Barbara County.
The California Department of Transportation says some 30 miles of southbound Interstate 101 will remain shut while crews clear mud, water and debris that swamped entire sections of the road.
