Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi's relocation to the Cotswolds faces a watery setback.
The couple's dream of a peaceful life in England was disrupted when their new home was inundated by floods from Storm Bert, Mail Online reported.
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia De Rossi, recently moved to a lavish farmhouse in the Cotswolds, following Ellen's decision to leave the US after Donald Trump's election. Their relocation, however, quickly met with unforeseen adversity as Storm Bert hit the region, bringing with it torrential rains and strong winds. The storm caused a nearby tributary of the River Thames to overflow, flooding the surrounding areas and their property.
The severe flooding affected their 43-acre estate, which includes a stunning renovated farmhouse. Roads surrounding the property submerged under five feet of water, isolating local residents. A nearby villager expressed dismay, stating the flooding was unprecedented in recent memory.
A stricken resident near Ellen and Portia's property shared, "The flood waters are rising by the hour. This is the worst I have seen it in years."
The flooding not only impacted their property but also brought local life to a standstill, with many unable to leave their homes or go about their daily activities. Despite the scenic location and the home's amenities, which include a helicopter pad, swimming pool, and more, the couple's start to country life has been anything but calm.
The couple had actively begun to immerse themselves in local culture, spending a night out at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer's Dog. Their encounter with local celebrities such as James Blunt and Natalie Imbruglia showcased their attempt to blend into the community before the floods.
This incident adds to Ellen's long history with real estate, having bought and sold over 50 properties. Their new home, with features like a separate one-bedroom cottage and a five-bay garage, is just one in a series of multi-million dollar residences they’ve dealt with over the years.
Having paid £2.5 million over the asking price, Ellen and Portia hoped for a smooth transition to the UK. A local source noted the attraction they felt towards the quintessentially English home, despite it being quite different from the homes they were used to in California.
The devastating impact of Storm Bert highlights the vulnerability of even the most secure and secluded estates. Ellen and Portia's experience demonstrates the unforeseen challenges homeowners can face, regardless of preparation or location.
A source in the Cotswolds elaborated on the couple's home, "It really is a beautiful house. It's so quintessentially English which as Americans they have fallen in love with, although they can forget about any glamorous southern California nightlife and weather."
Despite their vast experience in real estate, dealing with such a natural disaster was likely not something Ellen and Portia anticipated. Their new home, equipped with eco-friendly heating and renovated from its original structure with six bedrooms and four bathrooms, now requires unforeseen attention and repair.
The couple's move, initially a search for tranquility away from the political climates in the US, has turned into a struggle against natural elements in their chosen British refuge. The severity of the floods serves as a sudden and harsh introduction to the realities of rural living in the UK, subjecting their dream home to nature's unpredictability.
In wrapping up, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi faced immediate and severe flooding challenges shortly after relocating to the serene Cotswolds. The incident not only stressed the local infrastructure but also tested the couple’s resilience as they adapt to their new environment. Their experience underscores the unpredictable nature of relocating and setting up a home in a new country, blending the promise of a new start with the realities of natural disasters.
