Now is the time to prepare your family for El Niño. Here’s how to get started

Now is the time to prepare for this year’s potentially historic El Niño season.

The weather pattern could bring rain, flooding and mudslides over the coming months. Sea level rise could occur even sooner, with attendant coastal erosion.

El Niño is caused by abnormally warm ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Sea surface temperatures reached record highs more than a month ago. This means that there is more than one 90% chance This year’s El Niño will be extremely strong, according to the National Weather Service.

Strong El Niño years have historically caused heavy rainfall and sea level rise in Southern California, although scientists caution that it is impossible to predict exactly where or when these effects will occur.

Emergency management officials are getting ready for serious impacts to the region by preparing flood control infrastructure, building coastal defenses and deploying additional crews and equipment.

They also invite residents to prepare.

“The most important step is to prepare before a warning is issued,” said Jon O’Brien, deputy chief of emergency operations for Los Angeles County. “Know if your home or route is vulnerable to flooding or debris flows. Sign up for local emergency alerts. Plan your departure if prompted.”

Here are some steps you can take to start preparing for El Niño now.

Sign up for alerts

Signing up for emergency alerts from trusted sources is a key first step in preparing for severe weather.

“One of the most important things residents can do is ensure they have multiple ways to receive forecasts, watches and warnings from credible sources,” said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Public safety officials stress that when you receive an emergency alert, it is important to take it seriously and follow all instructions that come with it.

Understand the risks

Next, you need to find out how weather events and coastal hazards can affect you specifically.

THE MyHazard tool of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services outlines the risks that could affect your property and surrounding areas and the severity of those risks.

Understanding the specific threats you face is essential to planning your response. Among the likely consequences of El Niño are flooding, landslides, sea level rise and debris flows in post-fire areas.

It’s also important to consider risks beyond your property and neighborhood. Look for hazards along the routes you take to important places, like school and work, or that you would take to places like a hospital or evacuation shelter. Develop a plan for alternate routes in case roads are flooded, washed out, or blocked.

Make a plan

Emergency management officials say developing a clear plan is one of the most effective ways to ensure your family’s resilience in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Here are some recommendations on what to include in an emergency plan:

• Identify a meeting place for your family outside of your home and neighborhood.
• Know your evacuation routes. Identify the quickest and safest way to leave your home and neighborhood.
• Know the location of utility shutoffs so you know how to shut off your water, gas, and electricity in an emergency.
• If you don’t already know, ask schools and adult care centers about their emergency plans, especially regarding supplies and transportation.
• Keep important documents accessible and ready in case of evacuation, as well as other important items, such as family photos.
• Keep an inventory of additional medications you and your loved ones may need.
• Make special arrangements for children, the elderly, pets, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers.
• Schedule an annual family emergency plan review.

It is a good idea to set up a home communication plan which includes contact information for family members and other significant others, including an out-of-state emergency contact. It should also contain contact information for nearby hospitals, family doctors, schools and employers.

Another important consideration is planning for family members or neighbors who rely on electricity to power medical equipment or other essential support devices in the event of a power outage. Officials recommend developing a plan to access a backup power source in the event of a power outage.

However, if this plan includes a generator, it is essential to follow safety regulations. This involves keeping a generator a safe distance away and never running one indoors, as this can cause a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide.

Officials urge residents to contact their neighbors in advance, especially those who need special help.

“Connect with your family and your neighbors in your community and grow that network. Neighbors helping each other out is a very important point,” said Maral Karaccusian, Los Angeles County Director of Aging and Disability.

It’s also important to have a plan in place for pets and other animals.

For dogs and cats, make sure your contact information is on their collar and that you bring pet food with you during an evacuation. It’s also a good idea to have your pet microchipped: if you’ve had your furry friend for a while, check that the microchip information is up to date.

For large animals such as horses, make sure an animal transport trailer is available before a major storm. It’s also a good idea to evacuate large animals as soon as possible and find at least two shelters for them, in case one becomes unavailable.