Montecito (AP) – US presenter Ellen DeGeneres documented the flooding caused by persistent winter storms in the US state of California on Twitter. The 64-year-old reported in a video on Monday (local time) that her home in Montecito was being evacuated. “Since we live on higher ground, we have been asked to stay safe at home. Please everyone stay safe,” she wrote.
In the selfie video, DeGeneres can be seen next to a muddy river that is overflowing its banks. This body of water next to her property is actually a stream that otherwise never flows quickly, said the presenter. The water is now three meters high. “We need to be nicer to Mother Nature, because Mother Nature isn’t happy with us.”
In the video, DeGeneres also recalled the severe flooding and mudslides that occurred in the area five years ago. “People have lost their homes and lives,” she said. On January 9, 2018, 23 people were killed by mudslides in Montecito.
California is currently experiencing a third week of severe winter storms with heavy rain, fierce winds and flooding. Only on Monday did the authorities in several regions order evacuations again. According to Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday evening (local time), the ongoing storms have claimed 14 lives so far.
