Harry, Meghan, Ellen and Oprah all told to evacuate Montecito as Californian storm brings downpours and mudslides

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been ordered to evacuate their Montecito home as Californian storms continue to batter the US.

Most of the state is under flood watch as heavy rain lashes the exclusive celebrity community near Santa Barbara.

As well as Harry and Meghan, the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres live in the area.

DeGeneres posted a video to Twitter showing the raging current and ferocious rivers swirling near her home, urging everyone: "Please stay safe."

More than eight inches (203mm) of rain has fallen in the last 12 hours in the region, with US forecasters warning residents to brace for a "relentless parade of cyclones" over the next week.

Twelve people have already been killed by the storm and thousands left without power.

"We expect to see the worst of it still ahead of us," state Governor Gavin Newsom said at a news conference. "Don't test fate."

The BBC reported the Montecito Fire Department had ordered residents of the town and nearby canyons to "Leave now!" as the weather continued to unleash its worst on the region.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex permanently relocated to Montecito in 2020 where they scooped up a US$14.7 million home.

Despite the hilly nature of Montecito, the property has vast flat grounds meaning it could be prone to flooding.

The BBC said it is unclear if the couple and their two young children were at their home as Harry is currently promoting his memoir Spare.