Bridge at creek in Montecito filled with debris from the January 9 deadly rains and mudflow (Photo by Blake Herman/SB County Fire via SBC Fire Info Twitter)

The December 26 announcement that the Thomas Fire, the largest wildfire in California history, was 89 percent contained brought much-needed cheer to Santa Barbara residents. However, the comfort was short-lived. On January 9, the coastal community suffered another major setback after a storm that dumped almost five inches of rain in less than three hours caused widespread flooding and massive mudslides.