Mudslides sweep away cars, assault homes near LA
Mudslides sweep away cars, assault homes near LA
07 February 2010
published by www.azfamily.com
USA — LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE There are no reported injuries after thunderous mudslides damaged dozens of homes, swept away cars and pushed furniture into the streets of the foothills north of Los Angeles on Saturday.
The mudslides were the result of intense winter rain that poured down mountains denuded by a summer wildfire.
Residents and emergency responders were caught off guard by the unpredicted ferocity of the storm, which damaged more than 40 homes and dozens of vehicles.
About 800 homes across Los Angeles County were evacuated for much of the day after heavy rains at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains overflowed debris basins, carried away cement barricades and filled houses with mud and rocks.
Officials say nine homes have been declared uninhabitable.
Residents of all but about 70 homes were allowed to return home under clear skies Saturday night as another round of rains proved tame and moved on quickly.
