Heavy rains can damage your home and can sometimes be a danger to your safety. Please review and take the following preparedness and response steps.
- Sign up to Receive Emergency Alerts
- Keep emergency supplies on hand, such as a flashlight, water, food, first aid kit and a portable radio with extra batteries.
- Know how to turn off your utilities.
- Know your access route(s) in and out of your immediate neighborhood.
- Stay informed and monitor weather forecast to be aware of weather patterns that may impact your immediate area.
Prepare Your Property
- Check your property, clearing all private drains and rain gutters and disposing of all trash and yard clippings/trimmings in green waste containers.
- If you have a rain barrel, check to make sure the downspouts are clear of debris and the connection is working properly. Be sure to remove the overflow drain cover.
- Inspect your roof to check for loose tiles, holes, or other signs of trouble.
- Visually inspect retaining wall drains, surface drains, ditches, etc. for obstructions or other signs of malfunction. You should do this after the rain as well.
- As a precaution, try to avoid having large bare areas which could be sources for mudflows during a storm. Add vegetation in these areas before a large storm.
- Visually inspect all sloped areas for surface cracks, slumping, etc. Check your patios and garden walls for signs of cracking or rotation. These are indicators of slope movement; if you have any of these issues it is recommended that you have the site inspected by a geotechnical engineer. For the contact information, please refer to the Civil and Geo-technical Engineers List on the City’s Development Services site.
- Visually inspect nearby storm drains before and after heavy rainfall. If the storm drains are obstructed, please call the City of Santa Clarita Storm Water Hotline at (661) 222-7222.
Important Documents:
- Copy important documents (mortgage papers, deed, passport, bank information, etc.). Keep copies in your home, and have a backup for the documentation on a CD, flash drive, with an online service and/or keep hard copies in a safe deposit box.
- Take photos of your possessions (furniture, antiques and collectibles, musical instruments, electronic equipment, etc.). Store copies with your other important documents.
- Monitor local radio station KHTS AM 1220 and the Santa Clarita Emergency Updates blog for emergency information and instructions.
- Do not walk through a flooded area. Just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
- Keep away from flood control debris basins, channels, facilities and river beds.
- Do not drive through a flooded area. A vehicle can be carried away by just 2 feet of water.
- Keep your distance from downed power lines and electrical wires. Report downed electrical lines: Stay Away and Call 911 Immediately
- In general avoid any unnecessary trips during storms. If you must travel during severe weather, dress weather appropriate; make sure your vehicle’s wind shield wipers are in working order; check to make sure tires are properly inflated; and advise others of your route and destination.
- Check for structural damage before entering your home. If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric or sewer lines, please call the Santa Clarita Public Works department at (661) 294-2520.
- Remove wet contents like carpeting, furniture and bedding immediately from your home or building. Mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours. Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to dry out the building.
- Photograph and list all damaged or lost items including their age and value where possible.
- Plan before you repair.
