September is Disaster Preparedness Month, and with the potential for a strong El Niño this fall and winter, now is a good time to make sure you and your family are prepared.
Forecasters are warning that a strengthening El Niño could bring above-average rainfall to parts of the United States, including coastal California and Arizona. In Southern California, heavy rain could increase the risk of flooding, coastal damage, and debris flows, particularly in communities affected by recent wildfires.
For ShelterBox USA Senior Manager of Domestic Response Brian Glenn, preparedness can make a significant difference when disaster strikes.
“Keep a grab bag of essentials ready to go in case you have to evacuate with little notice,” Glenn said. “And maintain emergency supplies in case you have to shelter in place for two to three days.”
Here are some practical steps you can take now to prepare.
1. Pack an emergency grab bag
If you need to leave your home quickly, you may not have time to gather everything you need. Prepare an emergency bag in advance and keep it somewhere easy to access.
Consider including:
- Water and nonperishable food
- Essential medications
- Important documents, including birth certificates, insurance information, and passports
- Irreplaceable items, such as non-digitized photographs
- First aid kit
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Soap, hand wipes, toilet paper, and other toiletries
- Cell phone chargers and backup batteries
- Raincoat or poncho
- Books, toys, or games for children
- A tent, if you have one
You should also keep additional food, water, and emergency supplies at home in case local authorities advise you to shelter in place.
2. Know your evacuation routes
Having supplies is only part of being prepared. You also need to know where you will go and how you will get there.
Think through evacuation plans for your:
- Home
- Workplace
- Children’s schools or childcare
- Neighborhood
- Community or town
“You’re taught to know two ways out of your house in case of a fire,” Glenn said. “You should also know two ways out of your neighborhood and even your town in case an evacuation is required during an emergency.”
Discuss your plans with everyone in your household before an emergency occurs. Consider where you would meet if you became separated and identify an out-of-area contact everyone can reach.
3. Prepare for flooding and debris flows
Heavy rainfall can create several hazards at once.
Along the Southern California coast, the combination of heavy rain, high tides, and high surf could increase the risk of coastal flooding, particularly for low-lying homes and buildings near the water.
Recent wildfire burn areas are another concern. Fires can destroy the vegetation that normally helps stabilize hillsides. When intense rain falls on burned terrain, water, mud, rocks, and other debris can move rapidly downhill.
Communities in and around recent burn areas, including the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, should pay close attention to local weather forecasts, evacuation warnings, and instructions from emergency officials.
4. Prepare your home
A few preventative steps can help your home withstand severe weather and reduce avoidable damage.
Before storms arrive:
- Clear leaves and debris from rain gutters
- Check your roof and repair leaks
- Make sure drains are clear
- Move important belongings away from areas vulnerable to flooding
- Prepare sandbags if your property is at risk
- Know how to safely shut off utilities if instructed to do so
Some local governments and fire departments may provide sandbags or sandbagging supplies ahead of severe weather. Check with your local emergency management agency for resources available in your community.
5. Get your vehicle ready
Your vehicle may be essential if you need to evacuate, so make sure it is ready before severe weather arrives.
Check that:
- Tires are in good condition
- Windshield wipers work properly
- Your gas tank or vehicle charge is sufficient
- Snow chains are available if you may travel through areas where they are required
- Emergency supplies are stored in your vehicle
Most importantly, never attempt to drive through floodwater.
“Be smart when it’s storming. Your life is more important than wherever you are headed,” meteorologist Lundt said. “Remember: turn around, don’t drown.”
A few minutes of preparation can make a difference
Preparedness cannot prevent disasters, but it can help people respond more quickly and safely when emergencies happen.
Glenn has seen that firsthand throughout decades of disaster response.
“I’ve responded to thousands of emergencies, both here at home as a fire department battalion chief and around the globe as a disaster response team member,” Glenn said. “What I consistently find is the people who suffered the least are the ones who had taken a few minutes to prepare.”
At ShelterBox USA, preparing before disaster strikes is central to our work. From responding to disasters here in the United States to supporting communities around the world, we know that having plans, supplies, and resources ready can make a critical difference when every minute counts.
This Disaster Preparedness Month, take a few minutes to review your emergency plan, gather essential supplies, and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if disaster strikes.
