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El Niño Information
Call 858-668-4700 during business hours
or 858-668-4751 during non-business hours
What is El Niño?
El Niño conditions are characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.
What does this mean for San Diego County?
For more information on El Niño conditions, visit the National Weather Service's El Niño Page.
Protecting Your Property
What you should do now
- Clear debris from all roof drains, gutters, downspouts, yard drains and private drainage channels.
- Trim trees, especially those with large over-hanging branches.
- Make sure pool and spa drains are in good working order and keep water at a safe level.
- Make sure that water drains away from in-ground swimming pools and that it can’t accumulate alongside it. When the ground is saturated by long periods of heavy rains, pools without hydrostatic valves have been known to float out of the ground.
SandbagsSandbags help to divert or redirect water, mud and debris from your property and help prevent soil erosion. For more information about free sandbags and locations, please visit our public works webpage
Map of Sandbag Locations
For more information on flood debris and erosion control, view the Homeowner’s Guide for Flood, Debris, and Erosion Control. This informative packet will also provide instructions on how to properly fill and use sandbags to best protect your property. While sandbags can help protect your property from major damage, they will not completely seal out water, which is why it is important to make sure your property is financially covered.
Tips on filling and stacking sandbags
Insurance
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. It is important to have protection from the floods associated with heavy rains here in San Diego County. Flood insurance is only available through the National Flood Insurance Program. There is a 30 day waiting period before the policy is effective.
Also review your auto insurance policy, typically flood or water damage is only covered if you have comprehensive coverage. Policies with liability only will not cover this type of damage.
Prepare your family
It is important for you and your family to plan in advance, to know how you will communicate and meet during and after disasters, and what you will do in different situations. Go to ReadySanDiego for more information on how to prepare your family.
Stay Informed
Register with AlertSanDiego
Sign up for the County’s regional emergency notification system to get alerts via phone, text message, and email with important emergency and disaster information.
The must – have preparedness app. The SD Emergency App contains disaster preparedness information, interactive checklists to help you to create your emergency plan, build an emergency supplies kit, and when disaster strikes; the SD Emergency App will keep you and your family informed with emergency updates, interactive emergency maps, and shelter locations.
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