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A series of disasters has devastated parts of southern California, the largest wildfire in state history flared up in early December. It was named the Thomas Fire because it started near Thomas Aquinas College. It's been burned more than 281,000 acres and it's still not completely contained or blocked off. Officials expect that to happen later this month.
But its effects led to another problem. The Thomas Fire burned off trees, brush and bushes in the area. And when a storm struck earlier this week, dumping rain on charred hillsides, there wasn't enough living vegetation to help keep mud, boulders and dead trees from flowing downhill. Debris covered roads and swamped buildings.
Mudslides and flooding destroyed 65 homes and damage more than 460 others, and at least 17 were killed, though several others are still missing.
The rain has stopped and hundreds of first responders are working through the debris field searching for survivors. Deadly mudslides have struck this area before. Its unique landscape has contributed to both its beauty and its potential threat from disaster.
