Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, recently relocated to the United Kingdom but were met with unexpected challenges at their new countryside farmhouse. The couple’s 43-acre property was completely inundated after severe flooding caused by Storm Bert.
The flooding, which struck just days after the couple moved in, left the estate submerged as the River Thames overflowed its banks. According to The Daily Mail, the storm brought relentless rainfall and winds of up to 80 mph, wreaking havoc on the region.
Local residents described the flooding as one of the worst in years. “The floodwaters are rising by the hour,” a nearby resident reported to the outlet. Roads surrounding the property have been rendered impassable, with many locals unable to leave their homes.
DeGeneres and de Rossi had recently purchased the estate, which is located about two hours outside London. The multi-million-pound property, designed as a countryside retreat, boasts luxurious amenities, including a swimming pool and a helicopter pad.
The move to the UK follows DeGeneres and de Rossi’s decision to leave the United States after the election of President-elect Donald Trump. Reports indicate that the couple was eager to relocate after Trump’s victory, which included a decisive win in both the electoral college and the popular vote.
Sources suggest the pair was deeply unsettled by the political climate in the US and decided to make a permanent home in the UK’s idyllic Cotswolds. They are reportedly preparing to list their Montecito, California mansion for sale and have no plans to return to the United States on a long-term basis.
One insider noted, “Ellen and Portia wanted to ‘get the hell out’ of the US immediately after the election.” Their decision to move abroad underscores their discontent with the political direction of the country under Trump’s leadership.
DeGeneres had been a vocal supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign. She publicly endorsed Harris on social media, expressing excitement about her candidacy.
“There’s nothing more powerful than a woman whose time has come!! I can’t wait for @KamalaHarris to be our next president,” DeGeneres posted on Instagram in August. Despite Harris’s campaign efforts, Trump’s sweeping victory prompted the couple’s relocation plans.
While the couple anticipated a peaceful retreat in their new home, the flooding has complicated their start in the UK. As the region battles the aftermath of Storm Bert, DeGeneres and de Rossi face significant challenges in settling into their countryside estate.
Though their move abroad reflects their desire for a fresh start, the unforeseen natural disaster serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life—even in the most idyllic of settings.