On Tuesday night Jan. 9, mudslides affected more than 15,000 acres of land across Southern California. The mudslides have destroyed more than 100 homes and left 20 people dead. Several people are injured and many more are missing.
Early that Tuesday rain was heavy, helping form rivers of mud that grew to be dense with debris. Some places, having experienced flash flooding Monday night, already saw mudslides forming. Five major highways in the area are closed, vehicles incapable of passing through safely.
Residents were encouraged to evacuate, in some places there was a mandatory evacuation in place. Many chose not to evacuate for various reasons, many having been away from home after evacuating to avoid the wildfires that swept through the area just weeks before.
Mudslides are not uncommon in California, but this particular mudslide was especially dangerous because of the Thomas fire that has burned nearly 300,000 acres thus far.
The remains left behind after a wildfire are especially non-absorbent. As the mud moves it picks up various debris, which end up making the mixture heavier. As it moves it gains speed, and becomes very destructive.
The debris inside the mud make the mixture dangerous, including rocks, debris from wreckage, boulders and more. Its is also a very sticky mixture, making it difficult to escape if caught inside.
In southern California, cities such as Santa Barbara and Montecito, the landscape is rough, with lots of hills for mud to gain speed.
Many residents watched as their neighbors took shelter on the roof of their homes, some with small children. Many homes were destroyed completely.
One of the residents killed in the mudslides was the 84 year old founder of St. Augustine Academy, Roy Rohter. Rohter and his wife, Theresa Rohter, were swept away by the mudslide. Theresa was rescued and brought to the hospital for injuries obtained in the mudslide.
Oprah Winfrey, a popular talk show host, owns a home in Santa Barbara, Calif., where it experienced minor damages.
“Thanks everyone for your prayers and concern,” Winfrey said on her Instagram. “My property is fine. Some mud, and minor damage that pales in comparison to what my neighbors are going [through].”
Some homes may not have been hit by the mudslide directly, but many were still affected, with power outages and homes without access to drinking water.
President Donald Trump has yet to visit, as it is still unsafe in some areas. The White House press secretary issued a statement Monday, Jan. 15:
“The President has been briefed and will continue to monitor the mudslides in California. The President and First Lady extend their deepest sympathies to the families affected, their appreciation for the first responders saving lives, and their prayers for those who remain missing.”
Kelsey Fitzpatrick
Reporter