District One Meeting: El Niño Preparedness

There was a meeting tonight at Drake Park sponsored by Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez. While the meeting focused on Community Watches, there was also time spent on the Go Long Beach App, Homeless Services and El Niño. 

Because we covered Community Watches in a previous meeting, we'll be focusing tonight on being prepared for El Niño in this write up.

El Niño is a change in weather patterns that stands to change temperatures and weather patterns in cities like Long Beach. Where our average downpour is around 12 inches, El Niño can double the down pour. This usually comes in the form of four storms. One major storm brings about an inch and a quarter of rain, the rest resemble your average winter shower. 

While an inch and a quarter of rain doesn't sound like a serious issue, in addition to flooding it can cause extensive erosion and rip tides. Tonight's meeting, as it relates to El Niño was all about knowing what to do before, during and after the storm.

BEFORE THE STORM

• Clear rain gutters
• Have lumber, tarps, duct tape to repair leaks as they occur
• Cover patio furniture
• Keep at least 1/4 of gas in your tank
• Have an emergency kit.
• Have important identification in plastic bags
• Have copies of phone books that are not in cell phones.
• Prepare for special needs: IE Autistic kids/ insulin etc
• Have sand bags in flood areas
• Use Nixle/ Social Networking and stay connected
• Find a weather service and pay attention.

DURING THE STORM

• Listen to news that can help
• Avoid water above ankles
• If water comes up to top of your tires it isn't safe to continue
• Stay on familiar train
• Avoid down power lines
• If you see downed lines call 911

AFTER THE STORM

• Pay attention to news about drinking water
• Sewer breaks may require you to boil the water
• Have water purification such as bleach tablets in emergency kits
• Avoid disaster site seeing.
• Don't handle downed power lines
• Replenish emergency kits

The City of Long Beach also has a plan for the coming storms. This plan will include the clearing of 5300 basins, testing 28 pump stations and having the Fire Department make sand and sand bags available to the public. Sand will be available at 1651 San Francisco. Sand bags are available at Fire Stations 7, 12, 13 and 14.  Additionally, Parks and Recreation will be creating berms and clearing rain gutters for all government facilities. Fire will identify places where the Swift Water Rescue Response team may be needed. Police may be called on to alter traffic control patterns and activate search and rescue teams when needed. 

Also, while El Niño will help the drought in California, it is unlikely to undo it.