Torrential rain brought about by thunderstorms has caused some areas of southern California to be run down by mudslides, leaving thousands displaced and stranded, and one dead, according to a Fox News report.
Forest Falls and Oak Glen were the two towns mainly damaged by the reported landslide, disrupting roads and accessibility, and practically rendering about 8 houses severely damaged, according to Fire Captain Jeff Britton. Minor injuries and trauma were expected of those affected by this environmental catastrophe, but unfortunately a 48-year old man identified by authorities as Joo Hwan Lee was to become the first and hopefully only casualty.
Eyewitness claims state that the casualty was in his white Toyota Prius and was surrounded and submerged in water and suddenly was washed away when the rest of the mudflow debris came.
How Mudflows Happen
Some of the more useful websites in the internet such as those set up by the government of California (www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov) have been vigilant in informing the residents of their domain with numerous resources and essential notices regarding mudslides and mudflow.
In a general sense, mudflow is very much like that of a flash flood of water such as rain but is more dense and dangerous because of the debris and mud that goes along with it. The force of such a denser cascading fluid makes it more destructive and can literally carry off vehicles and even tear down some of the lighter material houses it comes across.
In the US alone, about a maximum of 50 people die due to direct and indirect causes of mudslides. These include the traumatic injuries by the rampaging debris, and drowning.
This year, the US has seen several mudslide incidents all across the continent, from Las Vegas to Metropolitan Phoenix, from Utah to New Mexico causing localized damages to residents' properties and productivity.
