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FEMA maps of flood areas were posted in the lobby of the Community Center during the dual meetings that addressed being prepared for the forecast El Niño that could bring a series of record storms. Families that attended the Spanish language meeting (above) examined the maps to determine if they are in a risk zone. |
Hundreds of Santa Paula residents attend El Niño preparedness meeting
December 16, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Hundreds of Santa Paula residents spent the evening learning how to be prepared for the projected El Niño, a weather event that experts now believe has the potential of being the most severe ever.
The December 8 meetings were sponsored by the City of Santa Paula and the Latino Alliance for Emergency Preparedness and not only offered information from Santa Paula emergency responders but also from Ventura County Office of Emergency Services Manager Kevin McGowan and Laura Hernandez, a Santa Paula native and retired head of the Ventura County Director of Emergency Services which includes disaster preparedness.
Gracie Huerta of Listos program, developed in 2010 to address the cultural gap between vulnerable high-risk Spanish-speaking communities and traditional disaster preparedness outreach and educational programs, conducted the Spanish language outreach.
So many people attended the first session said Santa Paula Police Sgt. Jimmy Fogata that more chairs had to be brought out but people still had to stand lining the center.
The English-language session also drew hundreds of residents for a series of meetings that coordinator SPPD Cadet Martha Brown said drew well over 500 people, “Many more than we expected!”
Police Chief Steve McLean thanked Brown, Hernandez, Huerta and others for organizing the sessions, especially as “We didn’t have the luxury of time…they put this together quickly.”
And time is of the essence with the storms expected in the New Year and the message of preparedness imperative for residents. One table display showed items that should be in each emergency preparedness kit while maps in the center’s lobby showed areas of historical or potential flooding.
Mayor Martin Hernandez, Vice Mayor Jenny Crosswhite and City Councilman John Procter also attended the sessions focused on El Niño, a weather condition that usually consists of a series of storms that can create flash flooding and other hazards.
And, if El Niño does arrive, everyone should be ready to take care of him or herself.
Kevin McGowan, manager of the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, noted an El Niño is “not weather, but rather a climate condition,” that usually amplifies winter storm events.
“You get short, intense storms, three to five days maybe,” or even more.
McGowan noted that in January 2005 there was a “conveyor belt of storms” that caused the major slide at La Conchita that killed 10 residents and destroyed part of the Santa Paula Airport.
But 2005 is not an issue: McGowan said 1997-98 and 1982-83 are used as El Niño benchmarks “And this year is the strongest of them…we should be preparing for the worst.”
The four year drought will not benefit from the rainfall as the dry earth will not absorb the water as quickly as it could creating even more runoff that would create flooding.
“Your biggest challenge here is impacts to Highway 126,” where debris flows have been experience dto the east and west of Santa Paula which could find itself isolated.
McGowan suggested that everyone have an emergency kit at home and in their vehicles with seven days of supplies as well as “comfort items…in the Army mine was Gummy Bears.”
Communication is vital and all citizens should sign up for VC Alert www.vcalert.org or text 313131 for the link, which will advise of emergencies and road closures. Another source is www.vcemergency.com which McGowan noted carried details and updates of the November 2014
Santa Clara Waste Water – Green Compass chemical explosions and aftermath.
The latter site already has an El Niño page that can be linked from the home page.
McGowan also urged residents to check with the National Flood Insurance program www.floodsmart.gov a FEMA program that can be purchased through private insurance agents. But, he cautioned, there is a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect.
Hernandez noted that Santa Paula and Ventura County have “incredible first responders” that work closely together but “What is predicted is much larger,” than past weather events.
“The better prepared you are,” to help yourself, your neighbors and your pets the “less strain we’ll put on our first responders” who will be busy with larger emergencies.
A large part of being prepared said Santa Paula Fire Chief Rick Araiza is to purchase sandbags and sand in advance.
He noted that Santa Paula has only two fire stations and two on duty engine companies with six to eight firefighters.
Past flooding he noted has hit Todd Road to the west and Santa Paula and Haun creeks to the east, in effect cutting off the city.
Santa Paula has many residents, about 1,000, that are trained in CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) and Araiza urged that more take the classes.
Residents should also be familiar with 1610 AM Radio, the Ready Santa Paula! channel that will offer regular updates during emergencies.
“I’ve been here my whole life and I know there will be flooding,” within the city in various locations known to be overwhelmed during heavy rain events.
“Don’t go into water to unplug,” clogged drainage and rather be prepared by cleaning out debris before storms, including home rain gutters.
Twelfth Street, Santa Paula Street, areas below Highway 126 and up Ojai Road are known as flood zones, and “We’re trying to keep Fagan Barranca as clean as possible…”
Araiza said the city does not like to compete with private business and residents that know they will need them should be proactive and purchase sandbags now. Sandbags will be available during flood events at Station 1 on South 10th Street.
“Stay away from creeks,” noted Araiza who told of a 1969 incident when his cousin was swept away but saved a half-mile downstream when he hit a rock.
Fogata told the crowd that traffic safety must be considered and if during rain “You have to think about going somewhere, stay home!”
Less than a quarter-inch of rain can cause a car to hydroplane and less than 2-feet of rushing water can carry a vehicle away.
Pay attention to speed, slow down and don’t attempt to cross rushing water, “Turn around, don’t drown…”
And, “We’ve been in a drought and you haven’t had to use windshield wipers…get them checked and replace them, they’re probably dried out and cracking.”
Caesar Hernandez of Public Works said 80 percent of channels have been cleared and work continues; the department will also be working with police on traffic control setting up barriers for rain areas.
Another Public Works representative noted that just because you don’t have rain doesn’t mean that flooding isn’t on the way from an area that experienced a downpour.
The Red Cross said Bob Engler has been active in stockpiling supplies, training volunteers and checking shelters.
“We’re doing our part, the city is doing their part and you must your part,” by being prepared and that includes following the guidelines for using a Red Cross shelter.
All who use a shelter — Santa Paula’s own is the Community Center — must sign in, cannot have weapons or illegal drugs and alcohol, declare if they have a criminal background (all information is confidential) and bring their own medical necessities (prescription medication, oxygen, etc.) as well as other comfort items.
Pets are not allowed in a shelter but can be kept outside in a vehicle; if there are many pets a shelter will be set up for the animals via an agreement between the Red Cross and county Animal Control Services.
The key to El Niño and other emergencies said Engler, is “Prepare…”
