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.
SEE ALSO: Thomas Fire becomes largest blaze in California history, during state's worst fire year
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.
#CAstorm- Scene from the 300 block of Hot Springs Road in Montecito following debris and mud flow due to heavy rain. pic.twitter.com/L8KkHdlQVQ
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) January 9, 2018
Driver becomes stuck in flooded road on N Jameson Ln along 101 fwy #montecito that washed down car, debris across all lanes. @CBSLA @NWSLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/JDMxCeHLnZ
— JASMINE VIEL (@jasmineviel) January 9, 2018
The destruction this #CAstorm left is unbelievable. This is #Montecito along East Valley Road and also along Olive Mill Rd. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/mRfx2oj0ZG
— Fabiola Ramirez (@_FabRamirez) January 9, 2018
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.
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 9, 2018
Unbelievable. This the 101 North in Montecito/Summerland. Completely blocked with mud. #CAStorm 📹: Joyce Dudley-Santa Barbara County DA pic.twitter.com/49BubOFvkp
— Joe Buttitta (@KEYTNC3Joe) January 9, 2018
101 in Santa Barbara! pic.twitter.com/3df0F3tza7
— Elle (@ellenaulrich) January 9, 2018
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.
#CAstorm- Firefighters successfully rescued a 14 yr old girl (right) after she was trapped for hours inside a destroyed home in Montecito. pic.twitter.com/QawiGpYbWu
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) January 9, 2018
#CAStorm - Firefighters rescue a girl who was trapped in Montecito following heavy rain and mudflow in the 300 block of Hot Springs Road. pic.twitter.com/tfUw0cDbXx
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) January 9, 2018
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.
Current radar shows an area of rain showers organizing along the south coast, heading near #TomasFire area. #CAwx #CAStorm pic.twitter.com/KZZvOtlnrI
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 9, 2018
Steady rain is ending, but threat of showers and thunderstorms with brief moderate to heavy rain will remain through the day - especially this afternoon. Flooding threat remains. #cawx #larain #CArain pic.twitter.com/VKqL4DTj7M
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 9, 2018
The National Weather Service outpost in Los Angeles says more showers will hit the Santa Barbara area throughout Tuesday.