How to prep yourself ahead of this week's SoCal storm

Brace yourself and have an umbrella handy: a strong storm is moving toward Southern California and could dump as much as 6 inches of rain in some parts of Los Angeles County.

The National Weather Service says a large plume of subtropical moisture will be rolling ashore Tuesday, heading first to Santa Barbara County before bringing heavy rain to Los Angeles County Wednesday.

For coastal and valley regions, 2 to 5 inches of rain is expected, while the foothills and mountains could see 5 to 10 inches. Peak rainfall could reach 0.50 to 0.75 inches of rain per hour.

The rain is expected to linger into Friday and carries the potential for snarled roads, flash floods and debris flows. But there are things you can do today to help you prepare for the rain.

Tips on how to protect your car, home and more, from Jon Myers with Red Cross Los Angeles

• Take care of your car's tires, and pay special attention to the condition of your treads. The better they are, the more control you'll have on slippery roads.
• Don't underestimate the depth of pooled water or flooded roads. It only takes two feet of rushing water to sweep away a car.
• If you live in a hilly area prone to wildfires, you are also more likely to face mudslides and landslides. Head to higher ground.
• Remember to prep a safety kit for yourself and your pets.
• If your home is uninhabitable, go to RedCross.org for information about shelters you can head to.

Your guide to flood insurance if water damages your home, from Beth Beagle at Arrowpoint Insurance Center in Burbank.

• Insurance will cover up to $250,000 for home or dwelling damage, and $100,000 for replacing personal property.
• The premiums range depending on your placement within a flood zone, as determined by the federal government. The price of coverage is also locked: the government sets your price, not individual insurance agents.
• Insurance will cover flood damage, but also damage caused by mudslides and rising river levels. However, it will not cover damage from a sewer back-up in your home.
• It takes up to 30 days for flood insurance coverage to kick in, so if you apply today you will not by covered by tomorrow.
• Up to 20 percent of flood insurance claims in the country come from not flood-prone areas like Los Angeles.
• Flood insurance in California is only mandatory if your mortgage lender requires it. You can see if you're in a flood zone using KPCC's map.