Preparing for El Niño
Getting Ready for El Niño: A Westside Preparedness Checklist
NOAA now gives a better than 83% chance of a strong to very strong El Niño this winter, and forecasters say it could be one of the strongest on record. That doesn't guarantee a wet season (2015–16 was a surprise dud), but the strong El Niño winters of 1982–83 and 1997–98 brought more than double LA's average rainfall. For those of us in the canyons, on the hillsides, along the coast and near the Palisades and Franklin fire burn areas, now is the time to prepare.
Around the house
Clean your gutters and downspouts, and make sure downspouts carry water well away from the foundation.
Have your roof inspected and repair loose or missing tiles and shingles before the first storm.
Clear drains, catch basins and culverts on your property, including driveway and street-side drains.
Check that the grading slopes away from your home and that hillside drainage ditches and terraces are free of debris.
Trim dead limbs and have large trees near the house checked by an arborist. Saturated soil plus wind is a common cause of fallen trees.
Test your sump pump if you have one, and consider a battery backup.
Pick up sandbags early. LA County fire stations and select beach locations provide them free, and Public Works has a Sandbag Dashboard to find the closest one. Use them to direct water away from structures, not to dam it.
Hillside, canyon and burn-area homes
Burned slopes absorb far less water and can produce sudden mud and debris flows, even in moderate rain. That risk lasts several years after a fire. If you live below or near the Palisades or Franklin burn areas, take debris-flow warnings seriously and leave early when officials advise it.
Watch for warning signs: new cracks in the ground or walls, doors and windows that suddenly stick, tilting trees or fences, and unusual sounds like rumbling or cracking during heavy rain.
Know at least two ways out. In Topanga especially, Topanga Canyon Blvd, Old Topanga and PCH can close with little notice.
Insurance and documents
Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding or mudflow. Most new flood policies through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program have a 30-day waiting period, so don't wait for the forecast to turn.
Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and review your coverage with your agent.
Take a quick video walkthrough of your home and belongings, and store it with copies of your policies, deeds and IDs in the cloud.
Alerts and a plan
Sign up for emergency alerts:
Alert LA County (countywide)
NotifyLA (City of LA, including the Palisades)
Alert SoMo (Santa Monica)
City of Malibu alerts
Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness (TCEP) updates
Look up your evacuation zone in Genasys Protect.
Bookmark Caltrans QuickMap for real-time road closures on PCH and canyon roads.
Keep a go-bag ready with water, food, medications, chargers and power banks, a flashlight, cash and copies of important documents. Include supplies for pets.
Keep your car's gas tank at least half full during storm periods.
Know where your gas, water and electrical shutoffs are and how to use them.
Check on neighbors, especially older residents and anyone living alone.
During a storm
Avoid driving through flooded roads. Just a foot of moving water can sweep away a car.
Stay out of canyons, creeks and storm channels, and away from beaches during high surf.
If officials issue an evacuation order, go. Don't wait to see what happens.
As always, if you have questions about protecting your home, reviewing your insurance or finding a trusted roofer, arborist or drainage contractor, we're happy to help.
A few notes:
Check before sending: forecasts update monthly, so confirm the NOAA odds close to the send date.
Program names: confirm Alert SoMo, the Malibu alerts and TCEP are still current.
Possible addition: CBS LA has reported that Malibu declared a local emergency ahead of El Niño. I couldn't confirm the details, but if it's accurate, it would make a timely local hook.
Sources: