What to expect when El Niño hits and how to prepare for the storm

What to expect when El Niño hits and how to prepare for the storm

• Store extra water bottles in easily-accessible locations in case you get trapped in your house unexpectedly.

• Make sure you have enough of any medicine you may need to last a few weeks.

• If you are near fallen power lines and in a vehicle, call 911 and remain inside the vehicle until utility crews arrive to deenergize the lines.

• Obey orders of evacuation from any local officials.

• Expect more than 200 inches of rainfall.

• Prepare a storage container filled with batteries, flashlights, canned food and a radio to listen to evacuation routes.

• You will not be able to use wall chargers if the electricity goes out, so in order to charge any devices that provide means of communication, buy a solar or battery-powered cell phone.

• If you have pets, prepare extra food and water for them, as well as potty pads if your animal usually goes to the bathroom outside.

• Prepare a substantial first aid kit and store it in a place easily accessible to all members of your family.

• Store extra water bottles in an easily accessible location in case you get trapped in your house.

• Make sure you have enough of any medicine you may need to last a few weeks.

• Prepare extra food and water for pets, as well as potty pads for animals that go to the bathroom outside.

• Organize a family communication plan, including evacuation routes, meeting points and contact methods.

• Purchase flood insurance for your family at www.floodsmart.gov, which will insure your home and anything damaged by the storm.

• Buy sandbags to prepare a “sea wall” which will protect your house from flooding.

• Prepare to open drains and create ways of collecting excess water to prevent flooding.

• Buy and install a portable electric submersible pump to which a garden hose can be attached to prevent heavy rain seepage.