From a Nov. 10 City of Piedmont press release
With more rain forecast this week and a potentially historic El Niño expected this winter, now is the time to protect your home from flooding and prepare for power outages.
Some of the most important preparations take time. Don’t wait until heavy rains begin to learn your sump pump isn’t working or your home is vulnerable to flooding.
Protect your home from flooding: Check your sump pump now
If your home has a sump pump, checking it should be your first priority. Sump pumps wear out over time, and many homeowners don’t discover theirs has stopped working until the basement floods.
Test your pump now to make sure it’s working properly. Check that it has a backup power source in case of an outage. If you don’t know how to test your sump pump, call a plumber now to have it inspected.
Homes that have flooded before are especially vulnerable. If you’ve experienced flooding in the past, don’t assume it was a one-time event. Identify and address drainage problems now to reduce the risk of flooding again.
Other steps to take before heavy rain arrives:
• Clear gutters and drains. Remove leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts, basement drains, and drainage areas around your property.
• Get sandbags if you need them. If your property is vulnerable to runoff, have sandbags ready before storms arrive. Piedmont residents can get 10 free sandbags per household at the City’s Corporation Yard (898 Red Rock Road) Monday-Friday, 7am-3:30pm.
• Document your home and belongings. Take photos of each room and valuable belongings and save them somewhere you can access if you need to file an insurance claim.
Prepare for extended power outages
Intense storms can bring down trees and power lines, causing outages that last for hours or even days.
Make a plan now for how your household would manage an extended outage. Consider whether you would be able to stay in your home without power for several days. If not, identify somewhere you could stay. Think through where you could shower, charge devices, and meet other basic needs.
