The rainy season is approaching, and an El Niño weather pattern could bring increased rainfall to the region. Santa Barbara County is urging residents to prepare now to protect their families, homes, and property from flooding. Flooding is one of the most common and destructive natural disasters in the United States and can happen quickly, with little or no warning. Areas below the south county foothills can be particularly vulnerable to flooding during periods of heavy rain.
Residents are encouraged to find out whether their home or workplace is in a flood zone, pay close attention to local weather forecasts, and sign up for community emergency alert systems.
- To find out if you are in a flood zone, visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
- To sign up for ReadySBC alerts, visit readysbc.org.
Residents with property in flood-prone areas should keep storm drains and gutters clear. Residents can find information on sandbag locations and availability at the Flood Control District’s sandbag location page. Moving valuables and important items to higher ground and knowing how to safely shut off water, gas, and electricity can help reduce damage if flooding occurs.
Every household should have an emergency plan that includes:
- An evacuation plan and a designated meeting place for family members, including pets
- A communication plan in case family members are separated
- An emergency supply kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, first-aid supplies, batteries, and a flashlight to last several days
- Important documents—such as insurance policies, identification documents, and medical records—stored in a waterproof container, with password-protected digital copies as backup
- For a list of more resources, visit the ReadySBC preparation site.
Because standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, residents are encouraged to consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program well in advance of a storm, as policies typically take up to 30 days to go into effect. For more information go to the National Flood Insurance Program Website.
For additional storm preparedness information, and flood safety tips, residents can visit the County Storm Preparation Website and Flood Preparedness Information Resources Website.
