Hillside Debris flow Education

1. History of 1995 & 2005 LC Debris Flow Disaster

In 1995 and 2005, after heavy rainfall, questionable farming practices, and a lack of a hillside erosion plan, required to be certified, but overlooked for this orchard led to a life changing event for this little town.  Only homes were lost in the first debris flow, bad enough for many.  The second slide brought much worse results with the deaths of 10 residents and visitors.  For years we were known as the mud slide town despite the massive debris flow in Malibu in 1995 and later, the tragic debris flow in Montecito that took 23 people.  The fact is, it is no fault of the communities that we live in an sensitive geologic ecosystem that requires the careful study and appreciation for the truth and consequence of choices that are made that impact the stability of the hillside. Despite the desire to put these events behind us, we believe that other communities and members of the agricultural community can learn from our experience and tragic event.  We welcome inquiries and are willing to host visits by organized groups who desire to learn more and propagate the understanding and the delicate balance of nature we all must respect.