California mudslide: Devastation that left 13 dead

The torrent arrived suddenly and with a sound some likened to a freight train as water carrying rocks and trees washed away cars and trashed homes. (Photo | AP)

Authorities said the bodies were discovered in mud and debris during rescue operations in Montecito, northwest of Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

Roads were clogged throughout the region with mudflows shutting down more than 30 miles of the 101 Freeway and knocking a number of homes from their foundations. (Photo | AP)

About 275 traffic crashes were logged in the California Highway Patrol's jurisdiction in Los Angeles County during the morning commute compared with just 30 reported collisions during the same period on Tuesday last week. (Photo | AP)

Much of the affected area is land scorched by the massive Thomas fire last month, where there is no vegetation to soak up the excess water. (Photo | AP)

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department said on its Twitter feed it was using dogs to look for victims where multiple homes once stood in Montecito following heavy rain, with more than 20 people reported missing. (Photo | AP)

Emergency services told reporters at least 'two dozen' people were missing with 'sevmeseral dozen' ho damaged or destroyed. They said they had rescued scores of residents, including 50 airlifted by hoist. (Photo | AP)

Pounding rain weakened south-facing slopes above Montecito and flooded a creek, sending mud and huge rocks rolling into housing areas. (Photo | AP)

The mud was unleashed in the dead of night by flash flooding in the steep, fire-scarred Santa Ynez Mountains. Burned-over zones are especially susceptible to destructive mudslides because scorched earth doesn't absorb water well and the land is easily eroded when there are no shrubs. (Photo | AP)