Video shows before-and-after look at destruction from mudslides in Montecito

MONTECITO, Calif. (KABC) -- Amid a massive cleanup operation in the Montecito, a satellite view from shows the destruction wrought by flooding and mudslides in the area.

The SkyMap7 technology offers a glimpse of what the upscale neighborhoods looked like before the heavy trains triggered massive debris flows. The footage then displays a live image of the devastated landscape.

San Ysidro Canyon, in the foothills above Montecito, was part of the Thomas Fire's sprawling burn area. When winter's first major storm arrived earlier this week, San Ysrido Creek swelled with mud.

"The river and the mud and the debris completely took that house right off of its foundation and buried it," said Air7HD reporter Scott Reiff, describing the scene.

Several nearby houses were either destroyed or heavily damaged.

In some cases, the destruction was so complete that it was unclear what became of the residences.

"It's hard to tell where that structure went - if it's under the mud or was washed down the creek," Reiff said of one home.