You might have noticed an increase in rain over the last month and according to experts its just the beginning of what will be a wet winter.
Below is a list of common El Niño questions to give you a better idea of how to property yourself, your property and to ease your mind.
What is El Niño?
According to the National Oceanic services (NOAA) El Niño, “refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific.” and is characterized by a wetter than normal winter season.
The CPC (Climate Perdition Center) forecast a 60 percent wetter winter than normal.
How do I protect my property?
Bob MacGuire of IPA says there are some simple ways to make sure your property is protected:
First- its important to waterproof areas where you might have water intrusion. You should check for any noticeable foundation cracks and make sure doors and windows are property sealed.
Second- make sure gutters and drains are clear of obstructions that may impede water flow. It is important to cut back any trees and plants that are or could impede drains or are clogging gutters.
Third– Regular inspection and maintenance of your roof is an inexpensive way to insure you are ready for rain and can give you extra peace of mind. It’s always cheaper to make simple repairs then to replace a roof after the rain has started.
Fourth- its not a bad idea to have sandbags, especially if you have areas where mud or run off could be a problem or your home is on hillside.
How do I protect myself?
Everyone should have an emergency kit that is easily accessible. The American Red Cross has a great list of everything you need to be ready for a disaster.