Californians who fled the Montecito mudslides will be able to return home by the end of this month as before and after images reveal neighborhoods being returned to normal after a mammoth cleanup operation. Sections of the 101 freeway that were inundated with mud and streets blocked by logs and rocks have now been cleared, images show. Robert Lewin, director of Santa Barbara County's office of emergency management, said it may be into February before natural gas service is restored to the area. Governor Jerry Brown declared Monday a Day of Remembrance of the Montecito Mudslides and ordered flags flown at half-staff over the state Capitol. Officials ordered residents in most of the southeastern corner of Montecito, which is east of Santa Barbara, to leave their homes for what was likely to be 1-2 weeks.

Source: Daily Mail January 23, 2018 03:03 UTC