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Traditionally, Los Angeles enjoys months of moderate weather every year, but recently there have been more examples of extreme weather impacting Southern California. There’s increased rain during the winter, but also in the summer. There’s hot and dry late summers and fall, and even tropical storms are finding their way to the greater Los Angeles region.
MySafe:LA has for more than a decade advocated for every family and person living in Los Angeles to make a plan. What does a plan include?
Every family should have at least one emergency kit. You may have created one based on readiness for earthquakes. This storm is a good time to check it out, update it if required, and have it at the ready. Key components include:
Some of the additional things you may wish to consider (the list can get long) include:
If you live in a home, or are on the ground floor of a multi-occupancy building (a duplex or an apartment building), there are some steps to consider relative to flooding. The most basic and useful tips are these:
Clogged gutters are an invitation for pooling water and damage to your home. Understand how to take steps to ensure there’s a path for water to be diverted from your roof and home. This video will be helpful to anyone interested in making their home safer from flooding:
Once the steps above have been completed, the following steps are of equal importance:
Sandbags are a very useful method of protecting your home from flood damage via debris flows. However, many people don’t know how to use them. Here are some tips that may prove useful.
Most major broadcasters have back-up power and related capabilities that will allow them to continue operating, even in a significant storm. It’s important for you to stay connected so you can get up-to-the-minute information, if required. Good local options include:
KNXT Radio – 97.1 FM
KTLA Local TV – https://ktla.com/
For most people, simply staying inside is the best advice. If there are no evacuation orders, then we suggest staying at home. Don’t venture out unless it’s absolutely necessary. Other things to consider during the storm include:
Make certain your vehicle is filled with fuel. Bring some water, a phone charger, and a first aid kit. It’s also worthwhile to put a blanket in the car, in case you become stranded.
Vehicles can be “washed away” in just two feet of water – and six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet. People often think they can “drive through” what they think are shallow rivers of water. Don’t do it. We’ve all seen the pictures on TV and the videos on YouTube. Even if you have a “honking” SUV, two feet of water can turn it into a runaway boat.
In the event your home begins to flood, go up to the 2nd floor if you have one. If you need to get on the roof, do that. Don’t go into the flood zone around your home unless you have no other option.
Don’t bring a BBQ into your home. Don’t bring gasoline powered devices into the home. If you use any gas devices, make certain there is adequate ventilation (in the garage, for example). Don’t use flame driven candles.
When the storm passes, the dangers are not gone – they’re different. The first thing to do is to ensure all of your family members (including pets) are accounted for. There are other things to consider in Los Angeles as well.
Check the exterior of your home for damage. If there are fallen trees, or flood waters, take photographs, but don’t try to “fix” the problem when you see it. If you need to report damage, use the city’s 311 line, not the emergency line 911.
You may wish to mark yourself “okay” if you have a Facebook account. More importantly, this is a good time to check in with family members, especially those who live out of the area. Use texting if possible, as mobile service may be impacted.
And stay away from any pooled water around power lines, as electricity loves to travel through water.
The sunsets may be amazing. The surf may look spectacular. But don’t do it. The ocean is likely going to be contaminated for at least a few days following a storm.
Your emergency kit is designed for use when in the midst of a pending natural disaster like a tropical storm. When the storm passes, make certain you refill your kit with anything you’ve used. It’s also a good time to evaluate if anything is nearing an expiration date (water is typically good for up to five years, as one example).
The terms “hurricane” and “typhoon” are regional names for tropical cyclones. All tropical cyclones are alike in that they draw heat from warm water at the ocean’s surface to power horizontal, rotating wind. Although similar in size, tropical cyclones have a different energy source than synoptic cyclones, which are storm systems that draw their energy from weather fronts and jet streams.
Over the Atlantic and East Pacific, tropical cyclones are commonly called “hurricanes.” The common term is “typhoon” for a tropical cyclone that forms in the West Pacific. Tropical cyclones are called just “cyclones” in the Indian Ocean and near Australia.
If you need additional information, check these websites:
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