The January 1969 storms in Ventura County produced catastrophic flooding that devastated Ojai and nearby communities. Between January 17 and January 29 more than 30 inches of rain fell; on January 25 the swollen San Antonio Creek eroded the foundation of the home of Mrs. Jeannette LaBelle of Ojai and the house collapsed. She was swept away by the torrent and died in the flood.

The same storm system produced multiple other fatalities: searchers later found the bodies of three young boys along Sespe Creek and two rescuers, a sheriff’s deputy and a forest ranger, who died attempting to aid victims. The event remains one of the most destructive natural disasters in the county’s history.

If anyone has family memories or local records about Jeannette LaBelle or the January 1969 flood, please share what is known.