By Donna Durckel
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
Your health and safety are top priorities for the County of San Diego, and it is asking residents to prepare now, before El Niño heavy rain and wind are expected, as soon as next month.
KNOW YOUR RISK
Residents can use the County’s Know Your Hazards tool to enter their address and identify what potential hazards might affect their home or neighborhood. Here is a helpful link to known local flood hazards.
You can learn more about different ways to prepare at the County’s El Nino Hub. Available in multiple languages, the page brings our severe weather preparedness information together in one place, including emergency alerts, sand and sandbag locations, current weather conditions, preparedness resources and other tools residents may need before and during a storm.
KNOW WHERE TO GET RELIABLE INFORMATION
The official emergency app for the County of San Diego is AlertSanDiego. Make sure you are signed up for emergency alerts and instructions. This how-to video will walk you through how to get and use the app.
During an emergency, it is also wise to check the status of County roads, as well as Caltrans Freeway/Highway Closures & Lane Closures and other transportation updates. Our road crews also post road updates on Twitter.com/SDcountyDPW
MAKE A HOUSEHOLD PLAN
• Know where to go if you were required to leave.
• How you would reconnect with family?
• What medications or supplies you might need?
• Have a plan for your pets.
• Keep important documents somewhere safe and easy to access if you need to evacuate.
• Help others prepare. Check on family, friends and neighbors who may need an extra help before or during an emergency.
County Emergency Services is also taking preparedness information directly into communities. Teams have identified areas with higher flood risk and is working with County outreach teams and trusted community partners to focus preparedness information in those communities.
You can also report things on County roads, culverts and infrastructure that may need our attention through our Tell us Now App or by calling the 24/7 hotline at 877-684-8000.
These are simple steps, but the time to take them is before a storm is approaching — not when it arrives.
Reprinted courtesy San Diego County Communications Department.