Southern California Mudslides Kill More Than Dozen

SANTA BARBARA, CA -- Thirteen people were killed Tuesday morning as a massive rainstorm slammed down on Santa Barbara County, just weeks after the region endured the state's worst wildfire on record. The deaths were reported in Montecito, a wealthy community in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, where mudslides are blocking roads and damaging homes.

Several others were also reportedly injured from the mudslides, while others were unaccounted for. A Santa Barbara official told the Los Angeles Times that the mudslides were "waist-high." Rescues were reported on Twitter by journalists and residents from throughout the region.

Elsewhere in Southern California, evacuations have been ordered as the region recovers from the state's worst fire season on record. Power outages were also widespread with thousands reportedly in the dark.

--Photo via Shutterstock

In this photo provided by Santa Barbara County Fire Department, mud and debris flow due to heavy rain in Montecito. Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. A fire official says five people have been killed by mudslides that swept Southern California homes from their foundations as a powerful storm drenched recent wildfire burn areas. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)