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These photos show how Southern California has been devastated by mudslides that killed at least 13 people

Alexandra MaJan 10, 2018, 16:30 IST

A section of the Union Pacific Railroad is blocked by mudflow and debris after a mudslide in Montecito, California, U.S. in this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, January 9, 2018. Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department/HandoutMike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department/Handout/Reuters

At least 13 people have died from massive mudslides in a wealthy Southern California region early Tuesday morning.

A heavy story triggered flash floods and unleashed debris in Montecito, Santa Barbara, around 2.30 a.m. local time (PST), the LA Times reported.

As Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told reporters on Tuesday night: "The best way I can describe it is it looked like a World War One battlefield."

Take a look at the harrowing scenes below.