Bracing for LA’s NEW WINTER NORMAL: Practical Tips for Upcoming Storms

Los Angeles is about to experience a series of intense storms, a scenario that might become more common due to climate change. For a city known for its sunny skies, preparing for such unusual weather events is crucial. This guide is designed to help you navigate these storms with confidence, offering practical tips to safeguard your family and home. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the area, understanding how to effectively prepare for these changes in our weather patterns is key to staying safe.

Climate Change and LA’s New Normal

Climate change is altering the face of our planet, and Los Angeles is not immune to these changes. The increasing frequency and intensity of storms that we are witnessing could very well be our new normal. These shifts in weather patterns demand our attention and preparation. Understanding the broader impact of climate change on our local weather is key to developing effective strategies for dealing with these changes, especially as we face the prospect of more frequent and intense storms.

Home Preparation Tips

Effectively preparing your home is a critical step in weathering the LA storms. Here are detailed steps to ensure your home is storm-ready:

• Secure Outdoor Items: Inspect your yard or balcony and securely fasten any loose objects, like patio furniture, garden tools, or decorations, that could become projectiles in strong winds.
• Check Drainage: Prevent water buildup by ensuring gutters and drains are clear of leaves, branches, and debris. Proper drainage is essential in heavy rain to avoid water damage. YOU want to make sure that your drainage systems brings water AWAY from the House & Foundation — and doesn’t just pool or… even worse –goes toward it 🚫
• Proactive Pool Practices: If you don’t know how to drain your pool– learn that NOW. Drain about 1-2 feet to ensure it doesn’t overflow and flood your yard or… create flood path to your home/foundation.
• Emergency Kit Upgrades: Stock your emergency kit with essentials like nonperishable food, a sizable cooler with ICE, at least a gallon of drinking water per person per day, flashlight batteries, a fire extinguisher, cash, and a comprehensive first-aid kit. Include safety gear like gloves, goggles, duct tape, and plastic sheeting for unexpected repairs.
• Power-Free Meals and Activities: Plan meals that can be prepared without electricity. Stock up on items like canned goods, bread, peanut butter, trail mix, protein bars/shakes and other non-refrigerated foods. Keep board games, puzzles, books, and craft projects handy to stay entertained during power outages.
• Home Inspections: Check your home for potential vulnerabilities. Ensure windows are sealed properly to prevent leaks, and consider storm shutters if you’re in a particularly vulnerable area. Inspect your roof for loose tiles or shingles and secure them.
• Backup Power Options: If possible, invest in a generator or alternative power sources to keep essential appliances running during a blackout. Remember to follow safety guidelines for generator use.
• Communication Plans: Ensure that all family members are aware of emergency plans. Establish a family meeting point in case of separation and keep a list of important contacts in an easily accessible, waterproof container.
• Stay Informed: Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio available to stay updated on the storm’s progress and any emergency instructions from local authorities.

Driving Safely During the Storm

When it comes to navigating Los Angeles roads during a storm, extra caution is essential. Here are some tips to ensure your safety while driving:

• Slow Down and Keep Distance: Wet roads can be slippery. Reduce your speed and maintain a greater distance than you might usual keep from the vehicle in front of you.
• Headlights On: Always have your headlights on during a storm, not just for your visibility but also to ensure other drivers can see you (it’s also the law).
• Avoid Flooded Areas: Never attempt to drive through flooded streets. It’s often difficult to judge the depth of water, and it takes surprisingly little water to move a car.
• Driving on the Freeway: it’s safest to drive in the middle lane which typically has better drainage/gradient-flow compared to the lane closest to the divider which statistically has the highest accident rate, where water tends to pool, increasing the risk of hydroplaning.
• Regular Vehicle Maintenance: Ensure your car is in good condition, particularly the brakes and tires, which are critical in wet conditions.
• Emergency Supplies: Keep an emergency kit in your car, including items like blankets, water, a flashlight, and a first aid kit.

Assessing Flood Risk in Your Area

Understanding your local flood risk is crucial, especially during back-to-back storms in Los Angeles. Here’s how you can stay informed and prepared:

• Flood Risk Maps: Check the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps or your local city’s floodplain maps to understand if you live in a flood-prone area. FEMA’s flood maps label moderate- to low-risk areas as B, C, and X, where the risk is reduced but not removed. High-risk areas are labeled A and V.
• Search Tools: Utilize online tools from FEMA and/or Google the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Just enter your address to see the flood risks for your home. The Los Angeles County Flood Control District website is also a great resource for local flood risk information and updates.
• Flood Insurance: Consider flood insurance if you’re in a high-risk area. Regular home insurance typically does not cover flood damage. I have an amazing Insurance Agent if you would like more information what policies make the best sense for you.

Staying Prepared and Safe

As we face these back-to-back storms in Los Angeles, staying informed and prepared is crucial. While we cannot control the weather, we can control how well we prepare for it. Let’s face these storms with the confidence that comes from being well-prepared. Stay safe, my Los Angeles Peeps — and let’s weather these storms together!!!!!!!!!!!