Hundreds of searchers continued the grueling work today of hunting for survivors and digging up bodies in the sea of mud and wreckage left by flash flooding in this wealthy coastal enclave.

Authorities in California's Santa Barbara County are still trying to reach new areas and dig into the destruction to find dead, injured or trapped people after a powerful mud flow swept away dozens of homes.

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Thousands of firefighters tried to shield coastal communities from one of the biggest wildfires in California's history as a funeral procession was held in honour of one of their colleagues who was killed battling the flames.

Retirement communities built on golf courses and race horse stables housing thoroughbreds were among the sites engulfed by flames as the San Diego area became the latest front in California's wildfire fight.

California wildfires are spreading quickly, threatening hundreds of homes and forcing evacuations at a summer camp where flames temporarily trapped children.

A powerful Pacific storm left two people dead in California as winds of more than 70mph downed power lines and brought trees down.

Irish Olympic boxer Michael Conlan shows us around his Renault Kadjar

A woman has died after collapsing while hiking and mountain biking during a record-breaking heatwave in Phoenix.

10-day fly-drive LA packakge

Last week, I spent most of my waking hours inside an ocean blue Tesla Model X P90D.

One person was killed and another 30 were injured when a woman intentionally swerved her car on to a busy pavement on the Las Vegas Strip, mowing down pedestrians.

SOMETIMES, the apology is worse than the offence, writes Terry Prone. 

The equality minister has dismissed as “pathetic” the New York Times apology for its controversial article on the Berkeley tragedy.

The Minister of State for Equality has labelled one American report on the tragedy in Berkeley as "a disgrace".

The Neverland Ranch in California that was once the home and personal fantasy land of Michael Jackson is up for sale.

Harry Styles is exploring the possibility of buying a vineyard in California.

A dangerous storm system blamed for two deaths in Oregon and thousands of power outages in Washington state has swept south through California, causing mudslides and evacuations.

The gunman who killed Miss Honduras has told police he murdered the beauty queen and her sister in a jealous rage because his girlfriend danced with another man.

The gunman who killed Miss Honduras has told police he murdered the beauty queen and her sister in a jealous rage because his girlfriend danced with another man.

A Honduran beauty queen has been found murdered just days before she was due to compete in the Miss World pageant in London.

Two bodies, believed to be those of Miss Honduras and her sister, have been found buried near the spa where they disappeared six days ago, police have said.

Jessica Simpson's husband has convinced her to have another baby.

ER Star Noah Wyle marries long-term girlfriend

The father of one of the victims of British-born gunman Elliot Rodger has pleaded with politicians to take action on gun control as the dead were honoured at a memorial service.

With a California town grieving the deaths of six college students killed by a mentally ill man, one victim’s father blamed the killings on politicians who failed to tighten gun laws after a mass school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

Gunman Elliot Rodger’s parents heard the news of his bloody rampage on the radio as they were racing to Santa Barbara, California, after his mother saw his online threats, it has emerged.

The parents of Britain-born Elliot Rodger desperately searched for him as he carried out a deadly gun and knife rampage in California, after they received his chilling manifesto, according to a family friend.

Gunman Elliot Rodger stabbed three people to death at his apartment before going on to shoot three more, it has emerged.

The family of a man they believe went on a shooting rampage near a university in Santa Barbara, California, called police several weeks ago after being alarmed by YouTube videos “regarding suicide and the killing of people”, a lawyer said today.

Seven people have been killed and seven others injured in drive-by shootings in a student enclave next to the University of California in Santa Barbara, authorities said today.

Cork v Waterford is the classic modern hurling rivalry but it’s hard to see past the Rebels tomorrow.

Kim Kardashian is determined to work out almost every day before her wedding.

George Clooney "immediately" hit it off with his fiancée's family.

About 100 people were arrested and at least 44 were taken to hospital during a weekend college party in Southern California.

USA: Lady Gaga has been accused of glamorising eating disorders after a vomit artist threw up on her — on purpose — during a performance at a festival-

Paul Walker's father has been made the executor of his estate.

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie have agreed to share custody of their son.

The doctor isn’t in, but he can still see you now.

Sticky problem

A marine science instructor snorkelling off the Southern California coast spotted something out of a fantasy novel: the silvery carcass of an 18-foot-long, serpent-like oarfish.

WE’VE just said goodbye to our summer batch of 12-Week Certificate Course students and I’ve just been paid perhaps the best compliment I’ve got when one chap told me: “I’ve learned so much and had so much fun I feel I owe you money!”

Sweets to the rescue as chimps take over

Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry enjoyed a trip to Santa Barbara together over the weekend.

Katy Perry has split from John Mayer for the third time.

Academy Award winner Geena Davis yesterday waded into the controversy over this year’s Oscar ceremony by saying host Seth MacFarlane’s routine was disrespectful to women, particularly the performers who were being honoured.

John Mayer gave Katy Perry a heart-shaped red ruby ring for Valentine's Day.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, after years of legal battles, has released files of priests accused of molesting children and removed a top clergyman who had been linked to efforts to conceal the abuse.

Last year Kieran Connery only had Thomas O’Gorman for company on those midweek dashes down the M9 from Dublin to training in Carriganore outside Waterford city.