It's finally raining in Southern California, but there's a big problem
Updated Jan. 9 4:40 p.m PT to reflect new death toll.
The rains have finally come to Southern California after months of bone dry weather and multiple wildfires, but they're not helping the previously parched state.
In fact, the deluge has created treacherous conditions in several regions, sparking evacuation orders in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties and leaving at least 13 people dead.
A combination of heavy rain and scarred vegetation after last fall's huge blazes have created mudslides in a number of places. Montecito was one of the worst hit regions, with many homes simply washed away.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The 101 freeway, which leads north from LA into Santa Barbara County, was closed north of Ventura — an area hit hard by last year's Thomas Fire. Some lanes on the infamous 405 near the Getty Center in LA were also closed due to a mud and rock slide. Cars in the region were seen caked up to their rims in sludge.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Firefighters, meanwhile, shared images of dramatic rescues, including the safe removal of a 14-year-old girl from a collapsed home and another young person from a wide mudslide.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Radar images posted by the Los Angeles National Weather Service on Tuesday morning showed more rain showers organizing on the coast near the Thomas Fire area, which could exacerbate an already tough situation.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The National Weather Service outpost in Los Angeles says more showers will hit the Santa Barbara area throughout Tuesday.
Tim Chester was Senior Editor, Real Time News in Los Angeles. Before that he was Deputy Editor of Mashable UK in London. Prior to joining Mashable, Tim was a Senior Web Editor at Penguin Random House, helping to relaunch the Rough Guides website and other travel brands. He was also a writer for Buzzfeed, GQ and The Sunday Times, covering everything from culture to tech and current affairs. Before that, he was Deputy Editor at NME.COM, overseeing content and development on the London-based music and entertainment site. Tim loves music and travel and has combined these two passions at festivals from Iceland to Malawi and beyond.
