How to Prepare for El Niño: Household List

Why these items are on the list

1. Check your address on MyHazards. It shows flood, landslide and tsunami hazards for a specific location.
2. Ask about flood insurance. Most home and renter policies exclude floods, so ask your agent before storm season.
3. Decide on flood insurance early. A National Flood Insurance Program policy typically has a 30-day waiting period.
4. Label your breaker box. Know where it is and mark each breaker clearly, in case flooding is possible.
5. Clean gutters, drains and culverts. Do it during the dry spell; debris left behind washes into stormwater.
6. Remove dead tree limbs. Take down dead limbs now, and clear fallen leaves and yard debris while it's dry.
7. Pick up sandbags early. Check with city or county public works while supplies last.
8. Sign up for local alerts. County alerts aren't automatic. They're free and arrive by text, call or email.
9. Make a household communication plan. Decide how you'll reach each other if you're apart, and settle evacuation routes.
10. Plan more than one route out. Pick an emergency meeting place too, in case you have to leave.
11. Pack a go bag. Include things like copies of ID and insurance, cash, and a medication list for people and animals.
12. Build a stay box. Food and medicine for at least three days, for people and pets; water is the next item.
13. Water, at least 3 gallons per person. Mercury Insurance sets the minimum at three gallons per person for every 72 hours; plan for pets too.
14. Gather flashlights, batteries, power banks. After severe storms you may be without power or water for several days.
15. Keep supplies for up to 10 days. LA County's figure for food, water and medications, longer than the three-day minimum elsewhere.
16. Video each room. A recording of the room and its contents can support an insurance claim.
17. Update your home inventory yearly. Mercury Insurance suggests updating it at least once a year and recording major purchases and renovations.
18. Put documents in waterproof bag. Documents like IDs, insurance papers, medical records and deeds. Keep copies on your phone or online.
19. Check brakes, wipers, tires, heater. Defroster and exhaust too. Carry chains if you drive in snow.
20. Never drive through floodwater. It can be deeper and faster than it looks, and the road may be washed out.
21. Keep generators and grills outside. Never run a generator, grill or camp stove inside if the power goes out.
22. Check on neighbors. Older adults and people with disabilities may need extra help.

Tick it off with everyone in the house so each job has someone's name on it.