Death toll rises to 15 after devastating mudslide in Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBRA COUNTY (KFSN) -- Overnight, a frantic search for the missing after heavy rain unleashed massive mudslides in southern California. The death count increasing from 13 to 15.

"It's my mom and I'm fighting with all my heart to find her. But, like, I can't focus too much on that she's most likely dead out here," said Robert Riskin, resident.

In Montecito, Riskin and his friend-- wearing wetsuits and helmets-- looked for Riskin's mother.

"I've just been clawing through the mud, and it's hard to hold hope when the mud is so deep but it's your mom, so you just have to keep going," Riskin said. "She's a grandmother, she's-- yeah. One of my best friends. You just gotta keep going man."

With no luck, Riskin broke down during the search. Taking pictures and collecting items from her home.

"It's hard to process. You look at the house you grew up in, and it's in pieces."

The fast-moving mud, with the consistency of wet concrete, destroyed everything in its path.

"It sounded like a hurricane or freight train. I can't quite believe it. Is that a house behind us? Is that a house?"

Witnesses describing the scenes in Santa Barbara County as "apocalyptic."

Rescuers saved a muck-covered 14-year-old girl. A massive tree stabbing through a portion of what was a home. Reports of people holding on to trees for hours. Others floating away on mattresses in a whirlpool of mud.

Debris fields are hundreds of yards wide in certain areas. One official comparing it to a World War 1 battlefield.

Ellen DeGeneres tweeting a dramatic image, pointing out the flooded 101 freeway which turned into a river.

Firefighters and rescue crews have been extremely busy-- some conducting more than 70 rescues.

If there is any silver lining to this is that Southern California is expecting drier weather Wednesday.