In the past weeks weather experts have talked about the weather phenomenon, El Nino. Television and social media do their job quite well by reminding us about the big waves and mudslides alike that washed away roads and indiscriminately submerged Malibu mansions and hillside apartment buildings. The rivers overflowed, seven inches of rain fell in a single day, and the damage cost California more than $400 million. It was California’s wettest winter on record. It was the El Niño 1997-98. It is difficult to believe that climate models hint the coming El Niño can rival or surpass the 1997-98 El Niño. If you are a homeowner this information will make you wonder, should I prepare for El Nino or is this just for Dooms Day Preppers? Well, the coming rainfall will be unpredictable, but one thing is not: a decade of drought and catastrophic wildfires have left the parched landscape as ill-prepared for torrential rain as it is in need of it. Residents living in low-lying beachfront homes such as those in Seal Beach are aware of their flood risks, but residents living in drought-stricken or fire-ravaged canyons may not be aware that these conditions are uniquely aligned for mudslides. If you live in either of these areas, or just have concerns about the community, you can identify flood risk by entering your address at the government’s Floodsmart Website. Just as an FYI most Homeowners Insurance policies do not cover flooding. Now, if you are not a prepper and getting ready for such things as Solar Storms, Zombie Apocalypses, or the gargantuan El Nino is not your style, here are some ideas you may want to consider in the event we do get heavy rainfall:
Your Home- Routine maintenance is a must for any homeowner
- Clean and clear gutters or even consider installing mesh guards to gutters.
- Check all weather stripping to doors and windows
- Inspect roof for missing/misplaced tiles or shingles. Inspecting your roof twice per year can help you avoid costly problems that can escalate into tremendous cost.
- Inside your home, check out your ceilings to make sure that you are not experiencing signs of roof or other leakage. Be on the lookout for water rings, mold or wall or ceiling discoloration. Make any necessary repairs to fix the issue and prevent it from happening again during the upcoming rainy season.
- Make sure that dead branches have been cleared from around your house. This will reduce the risk that they will fall during the storm and damage your home
Your Car- Ensure a safe ride for yourself and others
- The wiper blades come first and foremost. It might seem like you just bought them or your car is fairly new, but those thin strips of rubber deteriorate easily in the summer heat. If they’re not clearing rain away, it’s time to replace them.
- Washer fluid is important too: It cleans better than plain water. Make sure your reservoir is filled.
- Tire tread is critical for driving on wet roads. A professional can check your tread depth, and here’s a way to do it yourself: Stick a quarter into the grooves upside down. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, it’s time for new tread.
- It might also be time for new bulbs, so check to make sure they’re all working. Driving with your headlights on while using your wipers is the law, and don’t just rely on daytime running lights or automatic lights because they won’t always activate all the bulbs during the day. Manually switch on the full light system whenever it’s raining so you can be seen by other drivers.
Yourself-no need to explain this one
- Get a good umbrella…haha, simple investment to make sure you’re not the employee walking in from the wet t-shirt contest outside.
- Rain boots. If it is raining outside most offices have their heating on, let me just say wet feet and hot air do not mix.
The environment- Save water for those days without rain
- Harvest your rainwater. Rainwater capture is often performed by simply diverting the flow of rainwater from the roof to a rainwater tank. However, in order to safely do so and minimize the risk of contaminants, it is important to allow the initial flow of rainwater to go to waste, as dust, dirt, and even animal feces can accumulate on the roof beforehand. Use this harvested water for your garden and lawns! A 55 gallon water tank
Contact Alamar Insurance & Registration Solutions Inc. with questions regarding insurance coverage and other ways to prevent a loss to your property.
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