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Monday, November 23, 2015 | 
With seasonal wind and rain expected in Southern California, the Los Angeles Fire Department is encouraging residents to take the simple steps necessary to protect themselves from injury and their property from storm damage.
When rainstorms impact the Los Angeles area, flood control channels, rivers and arroyos can quickly fill with fast-moving water, creating a potentially life-threatening danger to anyone who gets caught or swept away. It is against the law to be inside most flood control channels, regardless of the weather.
We urge you to visit the National Weather Service website and listen to NOAA (All Hazards) Weather Radio - or local radio and television stations - for the latest weather information and emergency bulletins.
FLOOD PREVENTION AND STORM PREPAREDNESS TIPS
- Ensure that all drains, gutters and downspouts are clean and functioning properly. This is especially important for flat-roofed buildings.
- Keep stormwater drainage systems (pipes, ditches, swales and small channels) free of debris.
- Move valuable or easily damaged items away from low-lying areas prone to flooding.
- Closely examine windows, skylights and doors that may benefit from caulking or weatherstripping.
- Inspect your attic for "leaks" of sunlight, or signs of previous water damage that may indicate where pre-storm repairs are needed.
- Establish household supplies (bucket, mop, towel and tarpaulin) to minimize damage from sudden leaks or stormwater seepage.
- Prepare your household to remain safe (battery powered lamps, no candles) and functional (fully charged cell phone, manual garage door operation) in the event of a storm related power outage.
- Review how to safely turn off your home's electric, water and natural gas service in the event of severe storm damage, remembering that water and electricity don't mix.
- Gather and safely store important documents to take with you in case of evacuation.
- Put the free Flood Safety App from the American Red Cross on your smartphone.
- Discuss your Family Emergency Plan and prepare an Emergency Supply Kit that includes food, water, medications, flashlight, battery-powered radio, rain gear and first aid supplies.
- Confirm out-of-state family contacts so that friends and relatives can determine your location and status.
- Consider the safety of those with disabilities or access and functional needs.
- Plan for the needs of pets at home and if you are evacuated.
- Identify multiple safe routes from your home or workplace to high ground.
- Have sturdy, sensible shoes with nonskid soles for use in a rainstorm. Pack an umbrella, small flashlight and rain coat.
- Check your car's wipers, lights, tire inflation and tread wear to assure safe operation, and keep your vehicle fueled in case power is cutoff to local fueling stations.
- Monitor local news for the status of streets, highways and transit systems.
- Be aware of local driving laws, and how to operate your vehicle safely or use public transit in conditions altered by weather.
- Determine if your home is located in a flood hazard or landslide prone area.
- Landscape slope areas with plants that are fire retardant, water wise, suitable for erosion control and allow for smart water retention or reuse.
- Large trees that could threaten your home should be examined by a certified arborist. Confirm that any hillside on your property has been evaluated by a licensed soil engineer.
- If necessary, consult an engineer or licensed contractor to design or build permanent water and debris control systems for your property.
- Contact your insurance agent to assure that your flood and storm coverage is adequate and in effect. Confirm the 24-hour contact, policy and claim filing numbers for your insurer(s). Place that information in your mobile phone and keep a printed copy in the glove box of your car.
- Keep sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, hand tools and other materials handy for addressing additional stormwater issues.
In an effort to assist Los Angeles residents with extreme storm needs, the Los Angeles Fire Department and Bureau of Street Services are making ready-to-fill sandbags available at locations citywide. To find the Neighborhood Fire Station or Bureau of Street Services location closest to you, contact the City's 3-1-1 Ambassadors. They are pleased to direct you to the closest municipal source of sand and/or sandbags.
PERSONAL SAFETY DURING A STORM OR FLOOD
- When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
- Limit non-essential travel, and avoid the urge to sightsee. Remind all household members not to play or linger near catch basins, canyons, flood control channels or storm drains.
- Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the leading cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
- Never drive through a flooded area where you cannot see the pavement, or bypass road barriers.
- If you become stranded in your car by moving water, stay with your vehicle and move to the hood or roof if water continues to rise.
- Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Deadly electric current can travel through water.
- Report downed power lines in the City of Los Angeles to the Department of Water and Power (1-800-DIAL-DWP). If the downed wires threaten life, call 9-1-1.
- Remain calm. Don't waste energy yelling for help after someone has spotted you.
- Get ready to be rescued.
- Try to float on your back with your legs straight and your feet pointed downstream.
- Use your legs to shove yourself away from obstructions.
- Keep your head up so that you can see where you are going.
- Watch for obstacles and debris! If a tree or other stationary object is blocking the channel, forcing water over it, try to flip over on your stomach and approach the obstacle head-on, crawling over the top of it.
- Most victims in swift water die when they get pinned against obstacles or get trapped in submerged debris and vegetation.
- Do not go into the water after the victim.
- Do not try to pull the victim out with your hands, rope or similar device. Do not attach anything to yourself and toss it to a victim in the water. The force of the current will pull you in.
- If possible, throw a floatation device to the victim, such as a boogie board, Styrofoam ice chest, basketball or other unattached object.
- Immediately call 9-1-1.
- Tell the 9-1-1 operator that a person or animal fell into the channel and is being swept downstream.
- Give accurate information about where and when you saw the victim and what the victim was wearing.
- Though members of your Los Angeles Fire Department are specially trained and equipped to respond to water rescues, not every victim survives. We therefore remind you that when it comes to swift moving water: 'Stay Away and Stay Alive!'
City of Los Angeles residents should call 3-1-1 or (213) 473-3231, use an on-line form or the MyLA311 app to report potholes, downed street trees, damaged or inoperative street lights or traffic signals, clogged street drains and any storm-related property damage requiring an inspection or action by City of Los Angeles officials.
WHAT IF YOU EXPERIENCE STORM DAMAGE?
If, despite your best efforts, you become a victim of storm or floodwater damage, please visit LAFD.ORG for helpful flood recovery tips.
