Former daytime TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres documented the immense rainfall pounding California as her hometown of Montecito was placed under an evacuation order.
Wearing a hooded raincoat and barely audible over the raging water, DeGeneres said the overflowing creek by her home was “probably about nine feet [2.7 metres] up” and would increase by “another two feet“.
“This creek next to our house never flows, ever,” DeGeneres said as the floodwaters raged behind her.
Residents of Montecito, a Los Angeles suburb which is home to other celebrities such as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey, were ordered to evacuate on Monday, which coincided with the fifth anniversary of a mudslide that killed 23 people and destroyed more than 100 homes.
“This is crazy on the five-year anniversary,” DeGeneres said. "We are having unprecedented rain."
This week's barrage of storms has killed at least 14 people in California as the state braced for more intense rainfall on Tuesday.
About 10,000 people were affected by Monday's evacuation order. A flood warning remained in effect on Tuesday until 10am local time.
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Emergency personnel carry a woman rescued from a collapsed house after the 2018 mudslide. Photo: Santa Barbara News-Press -
A member of the Fresno Fire Department searches homes in Montecito, California, following a deadly mudslide that occurred in January 2018. AP -
A man walks through his Montecito home that was damaged by storms. AP -
An aerial photo taken by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department shows the aftermath of the mudslide in Montecito. AP -
Emergency personnel evacuate local residents and their dogs after the deadly mudslide. Reuters -
The posh Montecito Inn was flooded after the mudslide. Reuters -
A vehicle lies tangled in a tree on Hot Springs Road following heavy rains in Montecito. EPA -
The US 101 Freeway at the Olive Mill Road overpass was flooded with runoff water from Montecito Creek and blocked by mudflow and debris. EPA -
A Mercedes-Benz hood ornament covered in runoff mud after the vehicle was moved by floodwaters. EPA -
A car is trapped in mud following heavy rains in Montecito. EPA -
Damaged vehicles that were pushed by mudflow on to the US 101 Freeway. EPA -
A rainbow forms above Montecito while law enforcement and others survey the damage to Hot Springs Road. EPA -
A wrecked car lies amid debris after the mudslide. EPA -
Rescue workers enter properties to look for missing people after the mudslide. Reuters -
A lorry sits stuck in mud on US Highway 101 following heavy rains in Montecito. EPA -
Boulders block a road after the mudslide. Reuters -
An area damaged by the mudslide in Montecito. Reuters -
Outside the gate of Prince Harry and wife Meghan's home in Montecito. AFP
