It’s that time of year when pint-sized ghosts, ghouls and goblins will come knocking on Halloween night. Their creative costumes and exuberant cries of “Trick or Treat!” will be greeted with fistfuls of candy and exclamations of delight. 

But this year, Angelenos need to be ready for a different kind of monster that may soon be haunting LA’s neighborhoods. That monster is El Niño, an inconsistent but regular weather phenomenon that happens roughly once every 2-7 years and can last anywhere from 9-12 months. El Niño occurs when the temperature of the Pacific Ocean’s equatorial waters rises 0.5 degrees Celsius, increasing the average temperature of the south-eastern Pacific Ocean. The National Weather Service is forecasting a more than 95% chance of Los Angeles experiencing an El Niño winter which means the potential for more storms and a whole host of tricks and treats.

 

Prepare For El Niño’s Tricks

A parade of atmospheric river-like storms and the resulting flooded streets, downed trees and power lines and catastrophic mudslides are just a few of the tricks El Niño may bring to LA this winter. And, now is the time to prepare your home, yard and neighborhood:

  • Sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Los Angeles.
  • Clean leaves and debris from your home’s roof gutters and downspouts.
  • Remove trash and litter from the gutter or street in front of your home or business.
  • Report clogged catch basins by calling the LA Sanitation Customer Care Center at (800) 773-2489.
  • Use plastic sheeting to cover any steep, barren slopes on your property that could become unstable during rain.
  • Create an emergency preparedness kit and have a family evacuation plan in place. And, don’t forget to include pets in your plans. 
  • Locate the nearest fire station that has free sand and sandbags.
  • Make sure your vehicle is ready – Check the tread on your tires and make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order.

 

For more information, please visit LASAN’s Wet Weather Preparedness webpage or the City of LA’s Emergency Management Department. 

 

Enjoy El Niño’s Treats

One of the perks of an El Niño year is the increased rainfall that California and our region may experience. And increased rainfall amounts means that Angelenos have the potential to capture lots of rainwater, one of LA’s most precious resources, for their future use.

Rainwater harvesting through the use of rain barrels is the best way for homeowners to capture rainwater, conserve water and lower their water bill by offsetting their use of potable water.  By capturing rainwater that drains off rooftops, residents reduce the amount of stormwater flowing into LA’s local creeks, rivers and ocean keeping dangerous pollutants like pesticides, fertilizers, automotive fluids and pet waste out of regional waterways.

Many online retailers offer rain barrels for purchase. The Metropolitan Water District offers rebates for purchased rain barrels that are 50 gallons or larger in size.  

The installation of a rain barrel is relatively easy. With the correct tools, most rain barrels can be installed within a few hours. If you need help in installing a rain barrel, please view our Rain Barrel Installation Video and our Rain Barrel Installation Webinar.

And once installed, rain barrels are simple to operate – simply open the spigot or attach a hose and use the captured water to irrigate plants. Never drink the captured rainwater! It is unsafe for people and pets to drink. To maintain your rain barrel, you’ll want to periodically check that everything is in working order. And, always ensure that rain barrels are tightly covered to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and to keep critters and children safe. For more information on rain barrel maintenance, please view our Rain Barrel Maintenance Webinar.

An El Niño winter can be scary but with a bit of preparation, Los Angeles can be prepared for this monster’s tricks and ready to enjoy its watery treats! We’d love to hear how you’re prepping for an El Niño winter. Email us at lastormwater@lacity.org and we’ll feature your prep work on social media!