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How To Prepare For El Nino

California may have been dealing with a particularly dry few years, but the upcoming El Nino season could result in being one of the biggest rainy seasons on record to ever hit Southern California. While most Californians are excited for the drought to end, the strength of this El Nino could bring some really difficult storms, many of which could exceed the record-breaking storms of 1997's El Nino system. With these storms on the horizon, it's a good idea to make a few plans so you're set for anything that may arise. Here are some things to check now, so you aren't caught off guard once the rain comes.

Check Your Roof And Gutters
With the large amount of rainfall that is expected over the next few months, you're going to want to check your roof for leaks, and you'll want to get those fixed now, long before it actually becomes an issue. While you're up there, clean out your gutters and make sure they are tight against your roof. That will make sure the sudden downpour of rain ends up outside, instead of inside your living room.

Check Your Drainage
The other big part of home ownership, especially in difficult weather, is drainage. Make sure your drainage system is working well. If you need one, invest in a sump pump so you can make sure your basement doesn't end up full of water. If you already own a sump pump, have a plumber check it out to ensure that it's in proper working condition. The last thing you want is for your home to flood and to be caught off guard without the right tools to help yourself out at the last minute.

Make An Emergency Kit
It's also a great idea to plan for the worst. Stock up on the necessary supplies to have on-hand for any type of emergency. That means you'll want to stock up on bottled water (one gallon per person/per day is suggested) and nonperishable food items. You'll also want to have flashlights and extra batteries, candles, matches, toilet paper, a fully-charged cell phone and a battery-operated radio. It may also be a good idea to have some cash on hand, just in case your local stores lose power and the credit card readers don't work.

Pet Care
Don't leave your pet out of your preparation and planning. Remember to have enough pet food on hand, and make sure your pet has an ID tag or is micro chipped. That way, if your pet gets scared during a storm and runs off, it has a better chance of finding its way back to you. You'll also want to make sure to bring your pets indoors when the storms hit and designate an emergency pet care contact, just in case you get stranded and can't make it home to care for your furry friend.

Establish A Communication Plan
Talk to your family and make a communication plan should the worst happen. That means establishing the plans to get in touch with the kids at school or the parents at work. Make sure to designate a first point-of-contact for everyone to check in with, should anyone get separated, and make plans for an evacuation should it be necessary. This is one place where social media can come in handy, so consider adding a family hashtag for any emergencies that may arise.
 

Article by Deborah Flomberg.

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