Mudslides close California roads

Storms that dumped up to six inches of rain over 24 hours triggered mudslides across northern California, burying an elderly man in an avalanche of mud, closing roads and forcing the evacuation of several homes.

Dozens of rescue workers in Mill Valley searched for Walter Guthrie, 73, whose home was hit by a slide that was about 50 feet wide and 12 to 14 feet deep.

Rescue teams used a crane to remove the debris and planned to tear down the house to locate the missing man if necessary, Mill Valley Fire Department Battalion Chief Greg Moore said.