Evacuation ordered amid deluge in Montecito

Rain-weary Californians grappled with flooding and mudslides on Monday as the latest in a series of powerful storms hit the state, prompting widespread evacuations, toppling trees and frustrating motorists who hit roadblocks caused by fallen debris.

Tens of thousands of people remained without power, and some schools closed for the day. The number of deaths related to the storms climbed from 12 to 14 on Monday. The National Weather Service said rain was expected to continue through Tuesday after dumping up to 14 inches at higher elevations in central and Southern California.