MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — The top general of the Army Corps of Engineers has inspected operations at the scene of the devastating flash floods that hit Montecito, California.
KEYT-TV reports Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite toured the area Thursday and watched crews clear debris.
The main objective of the Army Corps of Engineers is clearing basins that capture debris flows during rainstorms.
The general said he sympathizes with residents who are going through what he called "a tough deal."
Twenty people are dead and three remain missing since a Jan. 9 storm dumped rain on the burn scar of December's Thomas wildfire above Montecito, unleashing flows that destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes.
A cold front passing through the area Friday is expected to carry little rain but leave a dusting of snow on mountains.
(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)