Celebrities Forced to Flee After California Storms and Floods These 11 Photos Show Bolsonaro Supporters Storming the Places of Power

In the south of the west coast state, in the region around the coastal city of Santa Barbara, floods and avalanches of mud and boulders were warned. The city of Montecito was also hit, where, in addition to Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, presenter Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities such as Jimmy Connors and James Cameron live.

Authorities asked all 8,000 residents of the town to leave their homes. Five years ago, Montecito was already the victim of a violent storm that destroyed up to 100 houses.

Severe flooding is also currently occurring in Santa Cruz County further north, below San Jose. About 30,000 people had to leave their homes there.

Since late December, the most populous US state has been ravaged by torrential rains, strong winds and flooding, resulting in several deaths. Many streams and rivers have burst their banks and some roads in the hardest-hit regions are impassable. Due to the already wet ground, authorities are also warning of flash floods and mudslides, particularly in areas where previous wildfires have destroyed plant cover. (sda/dpa)