The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is reminding residents that the best way to prevent flooding is to prepare before the rain starts falling.
Now they tell us!
Dry as this is being typed, my backyard, residential street and busy boulevard one block over were flooded a few hours ago.
If only I'd received this warning before then from OCFA, the full extent of which follows after the jump . . .
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January 19, 2010
For Immediate Release
Subject: Preparing for Heavy Rain and Floods
Irvine, CA – The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is reminding residents that the best way to prevent flooding is to prepare before the rain starts falling. Flash floods occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall and are so powerful that they can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy bridges and scour out new channels. Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles. Once waters begin to rise, or mud and debris flows begin, they are very difficult to divert.
“With the heavy rains and saturated earth, we are asking residents to be prepared for the upcoming storms,” said Captain Greg McKeown. “To assist our residents, sand bags are available at various fire stations throughout the county; visit our website (www.ocfa.org) for the locations. We are also asking that you stay inside and only go out onto the roads if necessary.”
If you are out in the heavy rain, do not attempt to walk through floodwaters. Go directly to higher ground. Keep children and pets away from floodwaters, storm drains and sewers. Make sure to never drive into a flooded area. If your car stalls, immediately abandon it and climb to higher ground. If you evacuate by car, do not drive past barricades or where water is over the road. Stay on recommended evacuation routes, as shortcuts may be blocked.
Make a kit, make a plan and stay informed. Make an evacuation kit and keep some old shoes and flashlights handy for a night evacuation. Keep valuables, documents & medicines in one place for quick access. Have the car ready to go, especially in dangerous weather and only go out if your safety is in jeopardy. Have a family emergency re-unification plan. Make sure to practice your escape regularly. Stay informed of weather predictions through television and radio stations. For more information, visit HERE.
OC Weekly Editor-in-Chief Matt Coker has been engaging, enraging and entertaining readers of newspapers, magazines and websites for decades. He spent the first 13 years of his career in journalism at daily newspapers before “graduating” to OC Weekly in 1995 as the alternative newsweekly’s first calendar editor.