A group of friends gathered Christmas Day at a church campsite in Waterman Canyon. They planned to lunch on tamales and breathe in the crisp air while their children played in the shadow of the San Bernardino Mountains.
They arrived about 11 a.m., invited by the campsite's caretaker, who knew most of the guests through a San Bernardino church popular with Mexican and Guatemalan immigrants. There was a light rain, so they moved the celebration into the caretaker's apartment.
The rain intensified in the afternoon, and with it the sky grew dark. About 2 p.m., as some guests sat on a porch, a wall of mud, boulders and trees as long as 40 feet came tumbling down. The flash flood washed away two buildings filled with Christmas partygoers. Some climbed to safety. Others were pulled out by rescuers. Thirteen died -- eight of them children. An 11-year-old boy is still missing.
A few hours later, another flash flood hit the KOA campsite in nearby Devore. More than 30 trailers washed away, and 52 people had to be rescued. Two people died.
Here are the stories of those who perished in the Christmas Day floods.
The Monzons
The Monzon family came to California from Tiquisate, Guatemala, about 10 years ago, settling in the San Fernando Valley. But Jorge Monzon relished the outdoors, and he jumped at the chance to be caretaker of a creek-side campsite owned by St. Sofia Greek Orthodox Church.
The family began looking after the rustic encampment in 1997 and quickly made it their home.
Jorge, 41, often took his black-spotted dog, Captain, out to hunt bears with a paint gun; his wife, Clara Monzon, 40, told friends she liked the chilly winters.
When wildfires surrounded the camp in October, church members urged the Monzons to evacuate and stay with them. They declined.
"They were very happy up there, and they stayed," said Judith Garcia, a secretary and member of the San Bernardino church where the family worshiped, Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia.
The Monzons organized the Christmas party. The entire household died in the flood, including daughter Wendy, 17, daughter Raquel, 9, and son Jeremias, 8 months.
Jorge Monzon told friends and family that he had had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ 10 years ago. The one-time construction worker then helped build his church.
Jorge Monzon, who almost always wore his big, floppy leather hat, would bellow Spanish folk songs in a hearty baritone. He greeted friends by shouting "Varon!" (Guy!) from far away and fixed them with a broad grin.
Clara was reserved and greeted people with just a smile. She was devoted to the church and helped organize weddings. Friends said she worked at a nearby factory.
The Monzons considered 8-month-old Jeremias a special blessing. Jorge, especially, had wanted a boy for years. At their last Sunday service Dec. 21, Jorge Monzon lifted up his new baby boy as he prayed, said Martha Ruedas, a pastor at the Monzons' church and a family friend of eight years.
The Monzons, however, were a little embarrassed by the baby's loud crying, so they moved from their usual spot in the front of the church to the back.
When 17-year-old Wendy arrived from Guatemala several weeks ago, the family was ecstatic.
"They were so happy. It was another prayer that had been answered," Martha Ruedas said. Jorge and Clara had left behind two children in Guatemala when they came to California.
Twice, the girls had tried unsuccessfully to make it to the United States, friends said. The third time, Wendy came alone and made it.
Peter Koulos, a member of St. Sophia's camp committee, saw the family three weeks ago.
"Clara and Raquel were out stapling tree lights and Jorge was standing below, telling them to be careful," Koulos said.
The Juarezes
Gilberto Juarez did not belong to Jorge Monzon's church, but the two formed a bond while growing up together in Guatemala. Juarez and Monzon easily picked up their friendship years later in San Bernardino, and Juarez eagerly accepted an invitation to the Christmas gathering, according to relatives.
Juarez, 40, arrived with his wife, Rosa Najera-Juarez, 40, and their two daughters, Stephanie, 3, and Katherine, 7. As they mixed with the other celebrants, the light rain began to turn into a downpour. When Juarez heard the roar of water and saw a wave of mud and rocks rushing down onto the campground, he grabbed the younger girl and ran for high ground. Rosa and Katherine tried to run, but didn't make it.
Rosa had left Guatemala about 12 years ago and settled in Los Angeles, where she met Gilberto.
"She was happy here," said Cesar Linares, her brother-in-law. "She had her children, her home, her husband. What else could you ask for?"
Linares said his sister-in-law had been known for her generosity. "If you had a sick son, she would tell you how to take care of him," he said. "If you needed a ride, she would give it to you."
Rosa was a stay-at-home mom who also made and sold artificial flower arrangements. Gilberto works in construction.
