Meteorologists predict there is a greater than 95% chance of El Niño conditions in Southern California throughout the winter of 2015-2016.
Malibu residents should prepare their property to protect it from potential damage by completing the items on this list below.
- Clean out your rain gutters and downspouts. Clean all of them before it rains, then check and clean them after the first rain. Leaves and debris from your roof may have accumulated in rain gutters after the rain. Make sure your rain gutters aren’t damaged.
- Fix any leaks before it starts to rain. Check your roof for any trouble areas.
- Invest in an emergency generator. Think about a portable generator or permanent standby generator that comes on automatically when the power goes out.
- Check any decks and balconies. Make sure water flows away from your walls and foundation.
- If your crawl space, garage, or basement could be flooded, think of installing a sump pump. El Nino rains can cause water to gather where you normally don’t find it.
- Have an arborist check your trees. Trees may look fine but can be weak. Wet branches weigh more and they can break.
- If you live on a hill or below a hill, talk to your neighbors. Drainage from your yard may cause water to damage your neighbor’s house. Your neighbor’s drainage may flood your home.
- Store your outdoor patio furniture or securely cover it. Put your potted plants in a covered area. Too much water and rain can damage them.
- Know where your sprinkler controller is located. Learn how to turn off your automatic sprinklers. You may not need to water for weeks or months.
- Talk to your insurance agent about purchasing flood insurance. Even though you may not live in a flood area, flood insurance may protect you from mud and water damage losses. Flood damages are not usually covered by homeowner’s insurance.
- Plan what you’ll do if water starts to infiltrate your home. Have sandbags, plywood, on hand to divert water away from your home.
- Check the lights in your car, headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and emergency flashers.
- Replace your windshield wipers. You don’t need to wait until it’s raining to realize you should have changed the wipers.
- Have your mechanic check your car’s tires. Check for tread wear and proper inflation. Both can be the cause of serious accidents in the rain.
- Talking about cars, how old is your car battery? Ask your mechanic to check the battery. It may be better to replace it before it fails in the rain.
Information Sources
Sign up for City of Malibu Notifications: Go to malibu city, and subscribe to receive real-time Emergency Alerts, Traffic, Weather, and Beach Advisories directly from the City.
Stay aware of weather forecasts – Follow the National Weather Service at the weather or on your mobile device at weather.
Get info from local media on TV, radio, or on the internet.