California Mudslide Death Toll Stands at 10; Cleanup, Damage Surveys Continue

As a rare sighting in California in recent weeks happened on Wednesday, the sun setting over the Pacific, authorities in La Conchita announced that this week’s death toll from a mudslide was 10, and that they believe everyone has been accounted for.

According to Ventura County Fire officials, the last three individuals left on an official list of missing people in the mudslide area telephoned authorities to indicate they were safe. Officials reported that no known bodies remain in the area.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited La Conchita on Wednesday, pledging to do whatever was necessary to help residents affected by the disaster. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for Ventura County, allowing for more state funds for the region to help with damage expenses.

Ventura County officials indicated that more than a dozen homes were both destroyed and damaged.

Meantime, residents and officials in other parts of Southern California reviewed the damage to homes and businesses from the heavy rains that have soaked the region in the last week.

In relation to the storms that hit California, The Insurance Information Network of California (IINC) is collecting and updating contact and claims information from insurance carriers and will be updating them on its Web site at www.iinc.org.

Allstate (800) 547-8676; California Casualty (800) 800-9410; Farmers (800) 435-7764, Spanish Line: (877) 732-5266; MetLife Auto & Home (800) 422-4272; Nationwide (800) 421-3535; Oregon Mutual (800) 934-3809; Safeco (800) 332-3226; State Farm (800) 732-5246; USAA (800) 531-8222.