Continuous heavy rain poured in California’s elite coastal area of Montecito that caused power interruption and affecting more than 100,000 people.
Residents were ordered to evacuate because of the major storm that lashed the communities in the said area.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown emphasized that the order to evacuate is based on the high rate of rainfall with no indication that it will slow down before nightfall.
The incident has recorded 12 dead among 34 million in the US State that was under flood watch according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“We expect to see the worst of it still ahead of us,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
Montecito is the residence of Hollywood stars including Rob Lowe, and the comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who posted a video of floods on Monday.
Further, it is near Santa Barbara where celebrities are residing including the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – Harry and Megan – and Oprah Winfrey.
However, it is still not verified if Prince Harry together with his wife and children is present in Montecito.
US National Weather Service (NWS) said that up to 8 inches (20cm) amount of rain has poured over 12 hours.
The forecast said that on Tuesday morning and afternoon, the heaviest rainfall will start. It is expected to bring floods, damaged power lines, and heavy snow in California.
A flood warning was issued around Los Angeles, including Orange County and the San Bernardino County Mountains. Schools in Sacramento have been cancelled too due to heavy rainfall.
With that, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for California on Monday.
