Wednesday 1.6.16 San Diego
The amount of rainfall we’ve experienced over the last few days here in San Diego and Southern California has caught some people off-guard and many are now are dealing with flood waters, mud slides and fallen trees. With another round of storms around the corner, this weekend may be a good opportunity to better prepare. Here are some tips that might help us all get through what is gearing-up to be a very wet El Nino Winter.
1. Clean your gutters between storms. Even if they were cleaned in the last couple of months a windy storm may blow in leaves and debris that can block the flow of water. Check to see that gutters are firmly attached to the roof and that downspouts drain away from your house.
2. Go up into your attic and look for any signs of moisture or roof leaks and make repairs as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to check caulking on older windows and around doors.
3. Inspect the fencing on your property and make sure it is wind-safe and secure or reinforce if needed. It is also important to store or tie down anything that might blow and cause damage in high winds, such as patio furniture cushions, umbrellas, hanging flower baskets and potted plants.
4. Visually check the storm drains on your street and notify your city public works department if they appear to be blocked.
5. If you have large trees on your property make sure they are properly trimmed. Many trees were weakened by the drought and some branches may not be strong enough to withstand the weight of water from heavy rain.
6. Loosen compacted soil in lawns and flower beds so that water better absorbs and doesn’t just pond or run-off.
7. Have sand bags on hand to divert water if you feel there is any potential of flooding on your property. Also, be prepared in the event of a power outage with non-perishable food and easy access to flashlights.
8. If your home lies below another property, talk to your neighbor and make sure they have a plan to divert water so that it doesn’t flow onto your property. Likewise, if your property lies above another, your run-off water should be properly diverted – you could otherwise be potentially liable for damage to their property.
9. Is your car rain-ready? Your tires should have plenty of tread, check your lights and brakes and don’t forget to buy new wiper blades. As traffic can often be slowed, stalled or diverted in a storm, make sure you have plenty of gas, bottled water and blankets in your car.
10. Talk to your insurance agent and learn exactly what is and isn’t covered in your policy. It is important to understand that unless you have flood insurance, damage caused in a rain storm is generally not covered by a standard homeowner’s policy.
Although the heavy rains bring their own set of problems, we can all be happy that this El Nino Winter should put a real dent in our drought and some green back in our lawns. Stay safe!
Photo courtesy of nbcsandiego.com
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