Dozens Still Unaccounted For In California Mudslides
Umer Jamshaid Published January 12, 2018 | 09:20 AM
Authorities in southern California said Thursday that dozens of residents were still unaccounted for after powerful mudslides that have killed 17 people, including four children, and destroyed homes in a region already pummeled by massive wildfires
Los Angeles, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2018 ) :Authorities in southern California said Thursday that dozens of residents were still unaccounted for after powerful mudslides that have killed 17 people, including four children, and destroyed homes in a region already pummeled by massive wildfires.
Heavy rain on Tuesday, which followed 10 months of drought, sent sticky mud and debris flowing from the hills into Montecito and other towns in Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles. "There are 43 people we're now looking into and investigating to see if they actually are missing," Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said, while adding: "It's a constantly moving number." Brown explained that those unaccounted for could yet be located, but warned that the death toll could rise.
Authorities emphasized that the situation was still fluid. Earlier in the day, officials put the number of missing at just eight. "There are mothers, fathers, grandfathers, siblings, and the list goes on and on," Brown said.
Terrifying wildfires forced people to evacuate in December -- with the mudslides striking just two weeks after they returned. The fires burned most vegetation, leaving perfect conditions for the latest tragedy to unfold.
With clean-up operations underway, workers were battling the viscous mud on the streets of Montecito Thursday -- while in other areas, efforts continued to restore power.
"It was a scary night," local resident Jane Barret told AFP.
One of her doctors, the leader of her children's scout group and a former neighbor were among the dead. Barret added it would "take a lot of time" to get over the natural disasters that have struck the area over the past two months.
- Heavy rain, destroyed homes - The highest rainfall was recorded at five inches (13 centimeters) in Ventura County, according to the National Weather Service -- but forecasts for the next week do not predict rain.
Residents were rescued by helicopter from the roofs of their homes -- with some later returning to recover valuable belongings and pets. Shocked by the damage, they took photos of their now-destroyed houses, with many describing the storm as similar to a stampede or an out-of-control train.
Greg Duimovich told AFP his house had "never" shaken so much from a rainstorm. More than 50 kilometers (35 miles) of the 101 Freeway, which connects northern California to the south, remained blocked by mud.
Billionaire talk show queen Oprah Winfrey -- whose rousing speech at Sunday's Golden Globes sparked speculation about a possible White House run -- was among those affected. She took to social media to post a video which showed mud rising up to her knees at her Montecito mansion, where fellow talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and actor Jeff Bridges also own homes.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From World
-
Football: English Championship table
5 hours ago -
Time for 'democratic transition' in Venezuela: opposition candidate to AFP
5 hours ago -
Spain's Pedro Sanchez : a risk-taker with a flair for survival
6 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
6 hours ago -
Nadal will only play French Open if he can 'compete well'
6 hours ago -
Ukraine, Israel, TikTok: the massive aid package before US Congress
6 hours ago
-
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
6 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results
7 hours ago -
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
8 hours ago -
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
8 hours ago -
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
8 hours ago -
Anger among Ukrainians in Poland as Kyiv halts passport renewals
8 hours ago