On Tuesday morning, Santa Barbara County in California was afflicted by devastating mudslides caused by intense rainfall. The area was unfortunately susceptible to this disaster due to the environment surrounding it, which included many hills and mountains, making flood water extremely fast and dangerous. At the time this article was written, 17 people have been reported dead and 43 have been reported missing.
The beginning of the devastation started early Tuesday morning, at around 4 a.m. The catastrophe was caused by heavy, consistent rain that was measured to fall, at one point, half an inch in just 5 minutes. Debris and mud rushed through the streets of Santa Barbara, ravaging the once lush and beautiful area. Houses and expensive properties were decimated as thick mud, boulders, branches, and other products of the storm crashed into them. It is estimated that at least 65 homes were demolished in the mudslides and over 400 were damaged. Besides homes, other important structures were afflicted by the mudslide. Large infernos were caused by the surge damaging a gas line, which subsequently tacked on more damage to the community.
The lethal storm claimed the lives of at least 17 people while also being responsible for the disappearance of 43 others. With ages ranging from as young as 3 years old to the most elderly with an age of 89, these citizens were killed in one of the most horrible ways imaginable. With the toll of those missing raising rapidly, we will most likely see an increase in the death toll, unfortunately.
Right now, the state of a California is doing all they can to supply aid to the damaged area. With nearly 700 professionals on the ground assisting with recovery, and citizens of the area actively offering help, the area will hopefully return to the way it was and more people will be discovered in time for possible rescue. In the meantime, the rest of the country will hold its breath as more details are released on this horrible natural disaster.