At least 20 people died over the past week, after mudslides filled with boulders, trees and other debris, devastated the community of Montecito, California. Authorities say at least four people remain missing in the aftermath of the disaster. Satellite images taken before and after show how much mud and debris filled the dense areas of vegetation around the town. Paul Vercammen brings us more on the level of destruction.  

A week of endless challenges for tireless first responders when a mountainside fell onto a community. The destruction so vast, it covered 30 square miles in rock and mud.

RACHAEL ROSS MONTECITO RESIDENT "There are no roads, no houses. I'm so devastated by what I'm seeing."

Rescue teams using bear cats brand new unmarked swat vehicles to pluck people from second story windows. This family finally rescued from the upper level of their home after trying to ride it out on their own.

"We thought about staying, cause we were fine. We had power, we got internet going, and with our hot spot on our phone, we thought we have water. And then the power went out."

These bear cats, four wheel drive and riding high above the mushy ground, can go where no other vehicles can. This team alone has pulled more than 30 people from danger.

SGT. JOE SCHMIDT SANTA BARBARA CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICER "For most of us that first day, Tuesday morning, was very surreal. We couldn't really comprehend the devastation where homes were wiped out and just rubble and debris everywhere."

PAUL VERCAMMEN MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA "Look at some of the obstacles first responders had to deal with. Massive boulders that came rolling down the hills like they were bowling balls. And in some instances, you can see just over my shoulder, rocks and mud up to the rooftops."

The round-the-clock, hard work of first responders, not lost on residents here.

This serial hand-shaker is John Griffith. He stopped at a staging area to give thanks for the dignity first responders showed the victims.

JOHN GRIFFITH MONTECITO RESIDENT "They stood at attention, they covered the body, they took their hats off, they shed a tear. They treated that body like it was one of their own."

The shoreline looks peaceful until a little perspective reveals muddy mayhem is everywhere. For the first responders restoring paradise seems endless sundown to sundown.