Residents Urged to Prepare for Upcoming Predicted Weather Events

Posted by Geri Ventura -

As the predictions are coming in from NOAA/NWS about next week's weather patterns, Motnecito Fire urges residents to PREPARE properties NOW for the rain and wind, before the predicted weather events arrive.

Be sure to clean out your rain gutters before the storms, and bring in patio furniture and other items outside that can blow away or be carried by rising water. Also remember to take this time to turn off all of your automatic sprinklers and exterior irrigation systems.

If you think you may need sandbags, get them NOW, not in the middle of the storm! Montecito Fire does have sand and bags available for residents, but there are many other locations throughout the county that have them available. Most hardware stores also have sand and bags available for purchase. (Disposal of sandbags after the rain storm is the responsibility of the resident.)

While they can make weather predictions to help us prepare for these events, there are other disasters we cannot predict, such as earthquakes!The tragedies in Haiti are a sad reminder that we must always be prepared!

As with all disasters and emergencies, and right now with the upcoming weather predictions, we stress that you review your disaster plan, and check the items you have in your kits, including food and water.

Be sure to keep your gas tanks at least half full. If there are power outages, few gas stations have generators to stay open.

Keep cash on hand, again, if there are power outages, the ATM's don't work either.

You can find information on what to have in your disaster kit, and other prepedness information on or website:
http://www.montecitofire.com/disaster_prep.htm

Monitor local weather conditions in real time at the NWS website for the Santa Barbara County area, http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/

Rain fall totals from various monitoring locations throughout the county can be viewed at: http://santabarbara.onerain.com/home.php

A web-based map service for the public to look up addresses based on FEMA flood zone information. The "County Flood Zone - Look Up" is on the Public Works website at: http://www.countyofsb.org/pwd/pwwater.aspx?id=2956

Information on Preparing for Floods and "The Homeowner's Guide to Flood Prevention and Response," can be found at:
http://www.montecitofire.com/flooding.htm

Montecito Fire will continue to make updates utilzing NIXLE - so be sure sure to pass it on to your friends and family! Nixle registration is free and easy! www.nixle.com

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