California storm - live: Star-studded city of Montecito evacuated as golden state hit by intense rain and flooding
Tens of thousands of people in California are without power as yet more intense rain storms and flooding hit the already-soaked state on Monday.
The bad weather saw the star-studded city of Montecito, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live, placed under an evacuation order, with the Montecito Fire Department urged residents to immediately leave their homes on Monday.
Officials said that five inches of rain had fallen in the area since the early hours, more heavy weather was due to come this afternoon and evening.
Santa Barbara emergency officials then subsequently issued a shelter in place warning for those not already evacuated, advising them to go to innermost room or high ground.
More severe weather is forecast for California this week after days of heavy rain, snow and damaging winds, raising the potential for flooding, rising rivers and mudslides on already saturated soils.
Harry and Meghan’s hometown of Montecito evacuated due to extreme rain
22:26 , Graeme Massie
Ritzy city, where celebs like Oprah Winfrey and Katy Perry also live, is under an evacuation order due to heavy rain after days of severe storms battered Southern California.
Louise Boyle has the story.
Harry and Meghan’s hometown of Montecito evacuated
California storm blog
22:18 , Graeme Massie
This is a blog on intense storms hitting California.
More follows.
