El Niño has officially hit—and in some places, it hit hard.
Experts warned us this summer that El Nino was going to be brutal this year.
They were calling it “Godzilla.” Thankfully, now that the first of the El Niño
storms have passed, we can prepare for what is to come! Mudslides, erosion,
flooding, and other forms of damage are definitely on the horizon, but you can
prevent certain things from happening in your home and you can help the drought
by reusing some of the rainwater!
Los Angeles County has developed a website to help its
residents become better prepared for this El Niño by explaining the risk
factors related to ignoring the weather signs! California wasn’t built for
severe rain and because we have been in a drought for the last four years, the land
physically cannot absorb the water quickly enough.
To get ready for El Niño:
- Clear out your rain gutters! If there are leaves blocking your gutters, or any loose items in your backyard that are clogging storm drains, flooding is a risk! If you are concerned about flooding, get sandbags!
- Register to get alerts! LA County will send out text messages, voice messages, and emails!
- Build an emergency kit with food and water that will last you 72 hours, first aid supplies, an extra set of glasses, a flashlight with spare batteries, and any other medical supplies you may need. (Remember to include pet food in this kit if you have animals!).
- GET SHELTER! For residents concerned for the homeless, contact the LAHSA Emergency Response Team at (213) 255- 6581; Homeless Outreach Mobile Engagement: (800) 854-7771; Housing for Health: (213) 833-5350.
- Supply your car with a blanket, extra shoes, snacks, and water!
- Check your windshield wipers, break pads, and tires! If they’re worn down, replace them.
- Get flood insurance! Standard homeowners or renters insurance typically doesn’t cover damage from flooding!
- You can turn off your sprinklers 72 hours before a storm arrives! It’s best to conserve our water resources during this time!
- Get rain barrels and cisterns through LADWP and Metropolitan Water District. Collect the free water that is falling out of the sky to conserve water! This El Niño most likely will not get California out of a drought, so we should always be thinking of ways to conserve our water resources.
- If you are faced with a mudslide or a flood, don’t try to beat Mother Nature. When weather and public safety officials issue weather alerts, it is for a good reason! Understand and act on any issued alerts.
Although it may seem silly that Los Angeles County is making
a big deal about the El Niño storms, California was not built for this type of
weather and we therefore have to take any necessary precautions that will
ensure our safety and functionality. The waves in the beach communities are
crazy during an El Niño storm and can cause serious damage as well! El Niño
already brought huge waves to the coast on Ventura’s pier! We all need to
contribute to preparing for the impressive El Niño storm that lies ahead.
