 Homes and streets of a neighborhood affected by the Santa Barbara County mudslides | |
| Date | January 9, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern California, United States |
| Cause | Soil saturation from heavy rainfall, and deforestation due to recent wildfires |
| Deaths | 23[1] |
| Non-fatal injuries | 163 |
| Property damage | >$207 million (2018 USD)[2][3]
|
A series of mudflows occurred in Southern California in early January 2018, particularly affecting areas northwest of Montecito in Santa Barbara County. The incident was responsible for 23 deaths,[4] although the body of one of the victims has never been found.[5] Approximately 163 people were hospitalized with various injuries, including four in critical condition.[6] The disaster occurred one month after a series of major wildfires. The conflagrations devastated steep slopes, which caused loss of vegetation and destabilization of the soil and greatly facilitated subsequent mudflows. The mudflows caused at least $177 million (2018 USD) in property damage,[2] and cost at least $7 million in emergency responses[2] and another $43 million (2018 USD) to clean up.[3]
- ^ Martinez, Alys (January 9, 2019). "One year later, symbol of hope found in Montecito mud". KEYT 3. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c "The Economic Impacts of the Montecito Mudslides: A Preliminary Assessment" (PDF). Robert D. Niehaus, Inc. March 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ a b Giana Magnoli (27 February 2018). "County Estimates $46 Million Cost for Thomas Fire, Montecito Debris Flow Response, Repairs". Noozhawk. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "California: Thirteen dead in Montecito rains and mudslides". BBC News. January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.