In Pictures: Deadly mudslides in California

At least 17 people were killed in Southern California when mudslides, floods and cascading debris swept away buildings and inundated roads. Thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes.

An aerial view from a Ventura Country Sheriff helicopter shows a site damaged by mudslide in Montecito, California, on Jan 9, 2017.
An aerial view from a Ventura Country Sheriff helicopter shows a site damaged by mudslide in Montecito, California, on Jan 9, 2017.PHOTO: REUTERS
Emergency personnel carry a woman rescued from a collapsed house after the mudslide in Montecito, California.
Emergency personnel carry a woman rescued from a collapsed house after the mudslide in Montecito, California.PHOTO: REUTERS
Mud fills the interior of a car destroyed in a rain-driven mudslide in a neighbourhood under mandatory evacuation in Burbank, California, on Jan 9, 2018.
Mud fills the interior of a car destroyed in a rain-driven mudslide in a neighbourhood under mandatory evacuation in Burbank, California, on Jan 9, 2018.PHOTO: AFP
Rain and mud flow out of a neighbourhood under mandatory evacuation in Burbank, California.
Rain and mud flow out of a neighbourhood under mandatory evacuation in Burbank, California.PHOTO: AFP
Mud fills the interior of a car destroyed in a rain-driven mudslide in Burbank, California.
Mud fills the interior of a car destroyed in a rain-driven mudslide in Burbank, California. PHOTO: AFP
A firefighter (in yellow) instructs journalists to retreat to safer ground after a rain-driven mudslide destroyed two cars and damaged property in Burbank, California.
A firefighter (in yellow) instructs journalists to retreat to safer ground after a rain-driven mudslide destroyed two cars and damaged property in Burbank, California.PHOTO: AFP
Emergency personnel prepare to rescue a trapped woman inside a collapsed house in Montecito, California.
Emergency personnel prepare to rescue a trapped woman inside a collapsed house in Montecito, California.PHOTO: REUTERS
Emergency personnel carry a man covered in mud after a mudslide in Montecito, California.
Emergency personnel carry a man covered in mud after a mudslide in Montecito, California.PHOTO: REUTERS
Emergency personnel evacuate local residents and their dogs through flooded waters in Montecito, California.
Emergency personnel evacuate local residents and their dogs through flooded waters in Montecito, California.PHOTO: REUTERS
The Montecito Inn sits in flooded waters and debris after a mudslide.
The Montecito Inn sits in flooded waters and debris after a mudslide.PHOTO: REUTERS
Debris floats in flooded waters on the freeway in Montecito, California.
Debris floats in flooded waters on the freeway in Montecito, California.PHOTO: REUTERS
The US 101 Freeway at the Olive Mill Road overpass flooded with runoff water from Montecito Creek and blocked with mudflow and debris following heavy rains in Montecito, California on Jan 9, 2018.
The US 101 Freeway at the Olive Mill Road overpass flooded with runoff water from Montecito Creek and blocked with mudflow and debris following heavy rains in Montecito, California on Jan 9, 2018. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Damaged vehicles carried by mud flow and debris at the exit of a parking garage at the corner of Olive Mill and Coast Village Road following heavy rains in Montecito, California.
Damaged vehicles carried by mud flow and debris at the exit of a parking garage at the corner of Olive Mill and Coast Village Road following heavy rains in Montecito, California. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
The US 101 Freeway at the Olive Mill Road overpass flooded with runoff water from Montecito Creek and blocked with mudflow and debris following heavy rains.
The US 101 Freeway at the Olive Mill Road overpass flooded with runoff water from Montecito Creek and blocked with mudflow and debris following heavy rains. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Emergency workers rescue a 14-year-old girl after she was trapped inside a home destroyed by a mudslide in Montecito, California.
Emergency workers rescue a 14-year-old girl after she was trapped inside a home destroyed by a mudslide in Montecito, California. PHOTO: NYTIMES
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters work in flood waters and mud in Sun Valley, California, on Jan 9, 2018.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters work in flood waters and mud in Sun Valley, California, on Jan 9, 2018.PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Mudflow and damage following heavy rains in Montecito, California, on Jan 10, 2018.
Mudflow and damage following heavy rains in Montecito, California, on Jan 10, 2018. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
A building uprooted by a massive mudslide is lodged in a tree in Montecito, California.
A building uprooted by a massive mudslide is lodged in a tree in Montecito, California. PHOTO: AFP
A firefighter conducts search and rescue at a home after heavy rains caused deadly mudslides in Montecito, California.
A firefighter conducts search and rescue at a home after heavy rains caused deadly mudslides in Montecito, California. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
A worker conducts search and rescue on the 101 Freeway after heavy rains caused deadly mudslides in Montecito, California.
A worker conducts search and rescue on the 101 Freeway after heavy rains caused deadly mudslides in Montecito, California. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Fremont City Firefighter Jordan Castro checks vehicles that had been washed into the Pacific Ocean as he conducts search and rescue in Montecito, California.
Fremont City Firefighter Jordan Castro checks vehicles that had been washed into the Pacific Ocean as he conducts search and rescue in Montecito, California. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Published
Jan 10, 2018, 9:12 am SGT
Updated: 
Jan 11, 2018, 3:14 pm
Topics: