El Niño Preparedness

El Niño is the warm phase of a natural climate pattern called the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). It occurs when ocean waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific become warmer than average, affecting weather patterns around the world.

National Weather Service (NWS): weather.gov/lox

LA County: ready.lacounty.gov/rain

City of LA: emergency.lacity.gov/rain

LAFD Sand Bag Distribution via Fire Stations

Listos California: Be Disaster Ready

U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security: ready.gov

alert.lacounty.gov

emergency.lacity.gov/notifyla

Get Ready:  Do as much as you can now to prepare your home for the upcoming storm season including: Trimming trees, gathering sandbags, clearing gutters and drains

Check Your Flood Hazard :via MyHazards but know that we are expecting more rain than usual.  We are preparing for an unprecedented event and where it rains, it can flood. and flood damage is not covered under your home policy.

Consider Flood Insurance: Even if your mortgage company does not require flood insurance, remember: Your home insurance does not cover damage from flooding or rising water.  Ask yourself what you would do if your home flooded.  How would you pay to repair and remediate damage?  At what point would that bill be a financial hardship - then get a quote for flood insurance and see if you can fit that into your budget.  Read UP's tips on shopping for flood insurance in our latest Tip of the Month.  
Remember - flood insurance policies take 10-30 days to kick in so NOW is the time to start the conversation with your agent and purchase flood insurance before the storm is approaching.  

After a Storm: If your home suffers minor storm damage, keep in mind that repairing your home, landscaping or fencing with wildfire preparedness in mind can reduce your home insurance costs. This may look like replacing a downed fence or gutters with non-combustible materials. Learn more at: wildfireprepared.org
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Flood Insurance Tips: 

Get a quote for flood insurance and add it to your safety net if it’s affordable. Damage caused by wind-driven or falling rain that enters your home through an opening is generally covered under your home policy, but damage from rising water/flood damage is not.

You can buy flood insurance through an agent or broker or directly through the National Flood Insurance program.

Getting a quote from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is easy: www.floodsmart.gov/policy-quote. You can also enter your address at one of the established flood insurance quote websites and get options to compare.

Here’s what the savvy consumer needs to know about flood insurance and water damage:

• Flood insurance can be an “endorsement” added on to your home policy or a stand-alone policy.
• There is generally a 10-30 day waiting period from the date you buy it to the date it kicks in.
• The lower your flood risk, the cheaper the policy will be.
• If you have a mortgage and your home is in a “Special Hazard Flood Zone” your lender will require flood insurance.
• An NFIP policy provides $250,000 max to repair flood damage to your home.
• An NFIP policy provides $100,000 max for belongings but not automatically. You have to ask and pay for this additional contents coverage.
• An NFIP policy will NOT cover temporary rent and expenses if you cannot live in your home after a flood.
• Private flood policies may cover temporary rent/loss of use expenses.
• MANY home insurance policies now have water damage “sublimits” that cap what your insurer will pay on a water loss. $10,000 is common. Shop for a higher limit if you can.
• Check your home insurance policy and if you don’t have sewer and drain backup coverage, we recommend you add it.
• If you file a water damage claim and your insurer denies it on the grounds that the damage resulted from “continuous and repeated seepage and leakage”, fight back.

For more information, read our Flood Insurance Buying Tips and remember: Flood damage to your car is covered under comprehensive coverage – you may need to add that coverage to your auto policy if you want to protect your vehicles from damage caused by flood or other natural disaster.

Plan Now, Stay Safe Later

Staying connected and informed is your first line of defense in case of an emergency. Register for free emergency notifications at Alert.LACounty.gov, bookmark Ready.LACounty.gov for preparedness guides, and keep Emergency.LACounty.gov handy for real-time updates. These resources will keep you up to date on local hazards, evacuation orders, and recovery information.  

Build a personal support network of at least two or three trusted neighbors, friends, or caregivers who can check in, help with evacuation, or provide support if needed. Preparing your home and supplies is equally important. Know if you live near areas prone to flooding, like rivers or canyons, and monitor TV, radio, or official websites for storm warnings. Create both a “go bag” (for evacuation) and a “stay box” (for sheltering in place). 

Older adults and people with disabilities should take extra precautions. If you use medical equipment that depends on electricity, contact your utility provider now to enroll in priority restoration programs and ask about backup battery options. Label all equipment with instructions, keep a backup supply of distilled water for respiratory devices, and store a cooler with ice packs for refrigerated medications. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, include a weather radio with text display and extra hearing aid batteries. If you are blind or have low vision, label supplies with large print or Braille and pack extra sight aids. 

Caregivers should develop a clear emergency and communication plan with the person they support. Identify who can help if you cannot be there, and practice evacuation routes and disaster plans together. Organize important documents, such as Power of Attorney and medical information, in a waterproof container or digital format. If your loved one relies on agency-based home care, ask about their emergency operations plan. 

Additional Tips: 

• Declutter your home’s hallways and exits to prevent falls and ensure quick evacuation routes. 
• If you don’t drive or have mobility challenges, register in advance with local agencies for accessible transportation. 
• Practice your evacuation plan and test any backup equipment before storm season. 
• If you receive Social Security or other benefits, switch to electronic payments for financial security when access to paper versions can be hard to get by. 
• If you have pets, research pet-friendly shelters or arrange for their care outside the flood zone. 
• Familiarize yourself with local evacuation terminology, such as “Evacuation Warning” and “Evacuation Order.” 
• Check in with your insurance provider to see how you can access health care during a disaster such as Medicare.  

Quick Resources: 

• Register: Alert.LACounty.gov 
• Keep Handy: Ready.LACounty.gov 
• Bookmark: Emergency.LACounty.gov 
• California Department of Aging Emergency Preparedness Guide for older adults, individuals with disabilities and people with access and functional needs.  
• Los Angeles County “Stay Safe, Stay in Control” guide with tips and assessment tool for older adults and people with disabilities and mobility limitations.  
• Cal OES MyHazards tool for learning hazard risks in your area.  

Don’t wait for a storm: plan now, stay safe later. Your preparation today can make all the difference this El Niño season.