Now’s the time to get your family ready for El Niño. Here’s how to start

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

The climate pattern could bring rain, flooding and mudslides in the next few months. Surging sea levels could hit even sooner, along with the coastal erosion that comes with it.

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

Strong El Niño years have historically brought heavy rain and elevated sea levels to Southern California, although scientists warn that it’s impossible to predict exactly where and when those effects will hit.

Emergency management officials are preparing for severe impacts on the region by readying flood-control infrastructure, building up coastal defenses and deploying extra crews and equipment.

They’re also urging residents to prepare for themselves.

“The most important step is to prepare before a warning is issued,” said Jon O’Brien, chief deputy of emergency operations for L.A. County. “Know whether your home or route is vulnerable to flooding or debris flows. Sign up for local emergency alerts. Make a plan to leave if directed.”

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

Sign up for alerts

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

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

Public safety officials emphasize that when you do receive an emergency alert, it’s important to take it seriously and follow any instructions that come with it.

Understanding risks

Next, you should learn how weather events and coastal hazards can affect you specifically.

The MyHazard tool from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services lays out the risks that could affect your property and the surrounding area and how severe those risks could be.

Understanding the specific threats you face is key to planning your response. Those that are likely to come with El Niño include flooding, landslides, sea level rise and debris flows in postfire zones.

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

Making a plan

Emergency management officials say developing a clear plan is one of the most effective ways to ensure your family is resilient during an emergency or disaster.

Here are some recommendations for 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, safest way to leave your home and neighborhood.
• Know the location of utility shutoffs so that you know how to turn off your water, gas and electricity in an emergency.
• If you don’t know already, ask schools and adult-care centers what their emergency plans are, especially when it comes to supplies and transportation.
• Keep important documents accessible and ready in the event of an evacuation, as well as other important items, such as family photos.
• Keep an inventory of extra medications that you and your loved ones may need.
• Make special provisions for children, seniors, pets, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers.
• Schedule an annual family run-through of the emergency plan. 

It’s a good idea to put together a household communication plan that includes contact information for family members and other important people, including an out-of-state emergency contact. It should also have 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 case there’s a power outage. Officials recommend making a plan for accessing a backup power source in the case of a power outage.

If that plan includes a generator, however, it's essential to follow safety rules. That includes keeping a generator at a safe distance and never operating one indoors, as that can cause a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas.

Officials are urging residents to reach out to their neighbors ahead of time, especially those who need special assistance.

“ Connect with family and neighbors in your community, and build out that network. Neighbors helping neighbors is a really important point,” said L.A. County’s director of aging and disability, Maral Karaccusian.

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 listed on their collar and that you bring pet food with you in an evacuation. It’s also a good idea to have your pet microchipped — if you’ve had your furry friend for a while, double-check that the info associated with the microchip is current.