PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR EL NINO

With the possibility of increased rainy periods from El Nino in the upcoming year, the San Bernardino County Fire Department wants to remind residents to be safe, and to have their properties prepared for flood conditions and heavy rainfall. Managing editor Tami Roleff joins us with some ways you can prepare your home…
Consider stockpiling sandbags and plastic sheeting. Sandbags can be stacked to keep water from flooding low areas. Residents can obtain a limited number of sandbags from local fire stations. Inspect sloped areas for signs of gullying, surface cracks, or slumping. Inspect patios and walls for signs of cracking or movement. Use plastic sheeting, secured with sand bags, can be placed on slopes to prevent water from eroding dirt away. Inspect your roof or hire a roofing contractor to check for loose tiles, holes, or other signs of trouble. Inspect retaining wall drains, surface drains, culverts, and ditches, for obstructions or signs of malfunction before the season and after every storm. For more information, visit elnino.noaa.gov.