First it was the Thomas fire that started in Ventura County in California and spread north to Santa Barbara County. Even as the fire was about 95% controlled the rain came in the very same area. Without ground cover the dirt and rock washed down canyon slopes into Montecito. The result was the flood bringing more deaths than the fire.
This is not a river. It is U.S. 101 in Montecito, California
Tanker trucks sucked muddy water from flooded sections of U.S. 101, the only direct major artery between Los Angeles and the Santa Barbara region.There is no date set when the highway will re-open. Montecito mudslide deaths now total 19. Searchers are still digging through the mud and muck looking for survivors.
Coast Contact 