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The US state of California is once again struggling with an environmental disaster: severe storms have caused flooding, at least twelve people have died and tens of thousands of households are without electricity.
The situation in Montecito is also dramatic.
It's a celebrity spot, south of Santa Barbara, full of luxury homes.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Oprah Winfrey and many other stars live here.
A celebrity has now reported himself.
Ellen DeGeneres, TV host and comedian:
"We're having rain like we've never had before.
This creek next to our house usually never flows.
It's probably about a meter tall now and will continue to rise another half meter.
Horses are ready for an evacuation.”
A good 8,000 people live in the TV presenter's place of residence, all of Montecito is now to be evacuated - because there is a danger to life: 200 millimeters of rain should fall within 24 hours - on hilly terrain that has already softened after weeks of downpours.
That could trigger landslides.
It would not be the first time.
Exactly five years ago, 23 people were killed by mudslides in Montecito.
DeGeneres reminds us of that.
Ellen DeGeneres, TV host and comedian:
"It's the fifth anniversary of the fire and mudslide that killed so many people and left so many people homeless, their lives.
This is crazy, on the fifth anniversary
."
California Governor Gavin Newsom and US President Joe Biden have already declared a state of emergency for the state.
In this way, emergency aid is needed more quickly and easily.
California is particularly struggling with climate change: In summer there is severe drought, forest fires continue to dry out the soil.
It cannot absorb the large amount of water from the heavy rains in winter.
Ellen DeGeneres closed her video with a call for climate protection.
Ellen DeGeneres, TV host and comedian:
»We need to be kinder to Mother Nature.
Because Mother Nature is not happy with us.
Let's all do our part.
Take care, folks."