MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) – Recovery crews are slowly making progress digging away masses of mud, boulders and toppled trees in a California community that was ravaged by deadly mudslides, but officials said they’ve removed enough debris from creek canals to prevent another potential disaster when the next rainstorm hits.
Workers were using backhoes, jackhammers and chain saws to clear the debris in Monticeto, nearly a week after a powerful storm sent flash floods cascading through mountain slopes that were burned bare by a huge wildfire in December. At least 19 people were killed and five others remained missing.
In addition to trying to find those who are still missing after Tuesday morning’s storm, crews have made it a top priority to clear out debris basins and creek canals before another rainstorm. Long-range forecasts gave the crews about a week before the next chance of rain – and potential new mudslides – although the precipitation was expected to be disorganized and light. Another system was possible two days later.
Crews pump mud on Highway 101 after a mudslide Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
“If we don’t get those debris basins cleaned out, then we’re not going to be prepared for the storm and we don’t know what that storm is going to look like,” said Robert Lewin, Santa Barbara County’s emergency management director.
The mudslides ravaged the tony community, destroying at least 65 homes and damaging more than 460 others, officials said. Firefighters went door to door along several blocks, checking the structural integrity of the damaged homes.
The rest of the community’s infrastructure was also damaged. Some streets were cracked in half and authorities closed bridges and overpasses because they were unstable.
“The bridges, the roads, they all need help,” Lewin said.
Eight large excavators were being used to clear the debris from Montecito Creek, Tom Fayram, the deputy director of the county’s flood control district, said.
“Two days ago I passed by an area where there was no creek and today I went by and the creek was fully restored,” he said. “We are making great progress and we have several days before that next storm.”
More than 2,000 searchers and recovery workers remained in the community late Saturday, carrying out backbreaking work in the summerlike weather that has made the stretch of Santa Barbara County coast about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles a haven for the wealthy, celebrities and tourists.
Much of the community of about 9,000 remained under mandatory evacuation orders, even unscathed areas, as crews both removed debris and worked to restore water, sanitation, power and gas.
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Associated Press writers John Antczak and Robert Jablon contributed to this report from Los Angeles.
Colette Layton, bottom, of the Atascadero Fire Dept, searches a home Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A member of a search and rescue crew marks a home as searched Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Crews work on clearing Highway 101 in the aftermath of a mudslide Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A sign is placed on a fence in the aftermath of a devastating mudslide Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
This April 8, 2017 satellite image released by DigitalGlobe News Bureau shows an area of homes in Montecito, Calif. The number of missing after a California mudslide has fluctuated wildly, due to shifting definitions, the inherent uncertainty that follows a natural disaster, and just plain human error. (DigitalGlobe News Bureau via AP)
This Jan. 11, 2018 satellite image released by DigitalGlobe News Bureau shows an area of homes after storms caused mudslides and flooding in Montecito, Calif. The number of missing after a California mudslide has fluctuated wildly, due to shifting definitions, the inherent uncertainty that follows a natural disaster, and just plain human error. (DigitalGlobe News Bureau via AP)
Crews pump mud on Highway 101 after a mudslide Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A mud-covered sign over the closed Highway 101 is seen at an overpass Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Crews pump mud out of southbound Highway 101 Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Search and rescue personnel scan a home in the aftermath of a mudslide Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The historic Montecito Inn, damaged by a mudslide, is seen Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Crews pump mud out of southbound Highway 101 Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A mud-covered sign over the closed Highway 101 is seen at an overpass Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Search and rescue crews walk along the mud-covered southbound lanes of Highway 101 Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Montecito, Calif. Most of the people of Montecito, a town usually known for its serenity and luxury, were under orders to stay out of town as gas and power were expected to be shut off Saturday for repairs. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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