The likelihood of an unusually wet winter in California – as well as the risk of potential coastal and inland flooding – continue to rise, according to the October update from Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
He reported via a thread on social media that he is “officially concerned” about the effects of a super-sized El Niño, a regularly occurring warming of the tropical eastern Pacific that is happening at a record-breaking level this year.
“With a forecast like this, it’s hard to imagine ever having a clearer advanced warning of a potentially difficult winter ahead for California,” said Swain, a researcher at UC ANR’s California Institute for Water Resources. “It’s fair to say that the warning lights are flashing in California and beyond.”
So what are the steps we should take to prepare?
Swain and scientists with CIWR and UC Cooperative Extension have assembled a checklist of to-do items to help Californians get ready for a range of potential impacts – from severe floods to prolonged power outages.
“The point is not to scare the pants off of people for no reason,” said Swain during a recent virtual “office hours” on his Weather West channel. “The point is to talk about the potentially significant things that may happen in the near future so we can improve the outcomes if they actually come to pass.”
1) Get the facts and share them with your family, friends, neighbors and networks. Learn the basics about El Niño, like why this year’s El Niño is so strong and what impacts are predicted for California. See this one-page fact sheet: ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/
2) Find out if you live or work in an area prone to flooding or other hazards. Potential El Niño impacts will vary widely by location. A helpful resource is the California MyHazards website, created by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), where you can check a specific locale for flood, landslide and tsunami hazards and other risks related to natural phenomena: myhazards.caloes.ca.gov.
3) Act now if you decide you need flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage, and there is typically a 30-day waiting period for a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy to go into effect. Additionally, renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Contact your insurance agent or learn more about NFIP and get a quote on the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance webpage: fema.gov/flood-insurance.
4) Prepare your property. Clean gutters, drains and culverts; remove dead tree limbs; and clear your yard of fallen leaves and other debris. Take advantage of the dry weather predicted for the next couple weeks across California, and make time to reduce the potential for flooding and for excess debris to be washed into stormwater. Some communities already have sandbags available; check with your city or county public works department.
5) Sign up for emergency alerts specific to your location. Learn more about local emergency notifications – and sign up to receive alerts – on the Ready California website: listoscalifornia.org/alerts.
6) Develop a family/household emergency communication plan. It’s especially important to determine how to communicate with each other in case you are not together. For key questions to answer and other factors to consider (such as evacuation routes), visit the ready.gov webpage: ready.gov/plan.
7) Prep a “go bag” in advance. Don’t be forced to scramble at the last minute if you must evacuate. Take the time to pre-pack essentials and documents like copies of identification, insurance, deeds and other important files (in hard copy and digital formats); cash; and a list of medications for both yourselves and your animals.
8) Assemble a “stay box” in case you cannot leave your home. In the aftermath of severe storms, you and your community may be without power or water for several days, or roads may not be passable. Ensure you have stored enough water, food and medicine for at least three days for people and pets. Locate flashlights, batteries and power banks for your devices.
9) Download and complete the Ready California “Disaster Ready Guide.” For more details on putting together your go bag, stay box and family emergency plan, refer to this guide, available in 16 languages (including English, Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese and Vietnamese). Visit listoscalifornia.org/resources and enter “Disaster Ready Guide” into the “Search Resources” bar.
10) Learn what you are advised to do – and not to do! – during and after a major storm and flood event. The National Weather Service has assembled helpful reminders for during and after floods: weather.gov/safety/flood-
Additional flood and weather emergency-related information, including specific resources for those living in coastal communities, farmers and livestock producers, as well as links to websites that monitor real-time coast and waterway conditions, can be found at: ucanr.edu/site/ciwr/flood-
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.