Deadly California mudslide 'like Niagara falls' as hills turn to rivers of debris

At least 17 people have been killed, with the death toll expected to rise, after heavy rains caused a violent mudslide exacerbated by recent wildfire damage

The mud cascaded down scorched, blackened slopes still blanketed with ash. With no trees or vegetation to slow the surge it swept rocks and boulders from the Verdugo mountains into a thunderous river.

Jeannette Abney, 88, watched in horror not believing slopes could so quickly turn to sludge and so quickly surround her home in La Tuna canyon.

Related: $306bn in one year: US bill for natural disasters smashes record

I’ve always been more scared of fires but now I think you have to worry more about mud – it’s silent and faster