Are you prepared for wetter-than-average conditions? The risks of flooding increase when suffering from a severe drought. It’s not too early to start preparing for floods, mudslides, or debris flows. Take time to begin preparation and to understand the risks of heavy rain fall. As Southern California prepares for El Niño 2015, the City of Glendale has initiated regular planning meetings with the Fire, Police, Public Works and Water & Power to prepare for the heavy rains. In the near future, critical information will be provided to assist residents and business owners in protecting their properties. The City will also share its operational plan as we move into the fall. Please sign up for our monthly newsletter to get the most updated information related to El Niño 2015 as well notifications to important events. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to get you started for the season. 1. Yard Clean-Up Make a general inspection of your entire yard area for dead trees or dead limbs, yard debris, outdoor furniture, or other objects that could be blown by storm winds. It is important not to over-trim trees as improper pruning actually leaves trees more vulnerable. Read more about proper tree care here. 2. Drains and Gutters Make sure all drains and gutters are cleared of debris and functioning properly before the storm season. Storm water runoff from impermeable surfaces (e.g., roofs, driveways, and patios) should be directed into a collection system to avoid soil saturation. 3. Roofs Inspect your roof, or hire a roofing contractor, to check for loose tiles, holes, or other signs of trouble. 4. Retaining Walls Visually inspect all retaining wall drains, surface drains, culverts, ditches, etc. for obstructions or other signs of malfunction, before the storm season, and after every storm event. 5. Slopes Visually inspect all sloped areas for signs of gullying, surface cracks, slumping etc. Also inspect patios, retaining walls, garden walls, etc. for signs of cracking or rotation. 6. Bare Ground Make sure your yard does not have large bare areas which could be sources for mudflows during a storm event. The fall is a good time to put down mulch and establish many native plants; it may be possible to vegetate these bare areas before the storm season. 7. Storm Drains Visually inspect nearby storm drains, before the storm season and after every rain; if the storm drains are obstructed, clear the material from the drain or notify the Public Works Department at 818-548-3950. 8. Sandbags Residents may pick up 10 free unfilled sandbags at Fire Station 21 - 421 Oak St. There are 5 locations for residents to pick up the sand: Dunsmore Park - 4700 Dunsmore Ave Brand Park - 1601 W Mountain St Lower Scholl Canyon Park - is 2849 E. Glenoaks Sports Complex - 2200 Fern Ln Fire Station 23/Chevy Chase Library parking lot - 3303 E Chevy Chase Dr . *Please only pick up sand from parks during their normal operating hours. Watch a video on how to acquire sandbags and the proper sandbag placement around your home. 9. Flooding Be aware of the possibility of flooding to make sure you and your family have adequate time to prepare for an evacuation. At Home Put together emergency supply kits that you can grab and go, and know how to turn off water, gas, and electricity connections in case of a flood. If waters start to rise, retreat to the second floor, the attic, and if necessary, the roof. Consider purchasing flood insurance. Read more about flood preparation and recovery. In Your Vehicle Have an emergency supply kit. Driving through flood waters is extremely dangerous. NEVER drive or walk into flood waters, seek higher ground if your vehicle stalls, do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, and monitor National Weather Service radio for vital weather related information. Watch the “Turn Around Don’t Drown” PSA by the National Weather Service. When Outside Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding. If you are caught outdoors during a heavy rain and flood, climb to high ground and stay there. Stay back from rushing water. If you come upon a flowing stream and water is above your ankles, STOP! Turn around, and go another way. Read more about rainy weather safety tips. 10. Emergency Supply Kits Prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles. A disaster supply kit should contain essential food, water and supplies for at least three days. Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept. You need to be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Make sure you have food and water and necessities like medicines in your kit. Be sure to prepare a kit in your vehicle that includes jumper cables, flashlights, a first-aid kit, and more. 11. Pets and Animals It is important to consider the needs of our animal friends as we approach the cold, wet winter months. An ideal shelter would provide protection from falling rain, both with a roof and sides to prevent wind-driven rain from entering the shelter. Other concerns should include proper storage of food. We recommend that you keep food, water, litter and pan bowls in a secure easy to reach location. Also, remember to have current ID tags on your pet at all times. Read more about animal preparedness. There are a variety of ways in which the City of Glendale and first responders communicate to the public during emergencies and disasters. 1. Everbridge: Register for important City notifications during large emergencies including information about evacuations, inundation zones, street closures, and shelter locations. Click here to learn more. 2. Twitter: Follow the Glendale Fire Department on twitter at @GlendaleCAFire and the City of Glendale at @MyGlendale to get up to the minute incident updates. 3. GTV6: GTV6 will provide all important information about the incident on their public access channel. 4. Websites: Visit any city website during a disaster and you will encounter a red screen that provides all important information about the incident. The Glendale Fire Department website is www.glendalefire.org and the city of Glendale website is www.glendaleca.gov. 5. Emergency Information Center: This center is only open during large scale emergencies and provides residents with an opportunity to speak with a city employee to get incident specific information. Call 818-548-3301. 6. City Connection: Sign up for the City’s newsletter for ongoing updates.
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