Preparing for El Niño Cecelia Nichols-Fritzler, Administrative Services Director Gene Neely, Fire Chief, Lathrop Manteca Fire District
Clears debris from streets to prepare for stormy weather conditions Installs flood signs to help warn residents of flood prone areas Cleans out city-owned storm drains and monitors them during a storm Inspects parks and park facilities for potential problems that could arise during heavy rain
Checks that surface drainage pipes are clear and grates are not clogged or covered Conducts maintenance of trees, identifies problematic trees, and removes them if necessary Inspects City vehicles to make sure that windshield wipers and emergency lighting are operational
Inspects City facilities including roofs, gutters, and drains to ensure they function properly Issues sandbags to residents Follows an Emergency Operations Plan City of Lathrop employees are Disaster Service Workers per California Government Code Section 3100-3109
Fix leaks. Use your garden hose to make sure the flashing is directing water off the roof and into the gutters Clean out gutters and downspouts Invest in a generator if you are in a neighborhood susceptible to power outages, consider buying a portable generator Paint the exterior wood trim of your home, cracks in paint can carry water into the wood and promote dry rot and termite invasion
Check your window glazing, caulk as needed Check balcony and deck slopes Make sure the water flows away from the walls and into the drainage system Store emergency repair materials such as sandbags and heavy plastic sheeting
Make sure your yard drains properly Turn off your automatic watering system Consider installing rain barrels at downspouts Check your trees-the rain may be too much weight for tree branches Secure your yard Reinforce fencing Store or tie down anything that might blow and cause damage in high wind Store outdoor furniture
Check your tires Tires should have at least 50% tread, otherwise they can t displace water through their grooves Ensure that your tires are inflated properly. Tires won t sit properly on the ground and traction is reduced Install new windshield wipers
Check your car lights Check your car battery Check your braking system Brakes should be checked and worn brake pads should be replaced no matter the weather Brakes do not work as well when it is cold and wet
Do not drive through flooded areas. It's hard to tell what's beneath the water's surface or how deep it is. Be vigilant driving on roads where the flood waters have receded; roads could be weakened by the rains. If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be too Gas up your car now before the storm hits In the unlikely event a power line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle and wait for a trained professional to help you Stay alert for vehicle hydroplaning. Gently apply brakes and avoid sharp turns Leave extra distance between your car and the next motorist Open the window a crack if you're caught in stalled traffic to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
Bottled water: The Red Cross recommends one gallon per person per day. If the power goes out, you may not be able to use well water if electricity to the pump isn't flowing, or flooding may contaminate your water source. Nonperishable food Flashlights and extra batteries Candles and matches Toilet paper: You never realize how much you need toilet paper until you don't have any. Cash: If your local stores lose power, they may stay open but credit card readers won't work A fully charged cell phone A battery-operated radio for news
For an emergency, please call 911 City of Lathrop Public Works Department (209) 941-7430 City of Lathrop Public Works Department (209) 992-0028, emergency only San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services (209) 953-6200 American Red Cross (916) 993-7070 PG&E (800) 743-5000 National Weather Service www.weather.gov
http://www.sjgov.org/oes/ http://www.fema.gov/ http://www.weather.gov/ http://www.ready.gov/