Stay Informed What Is An El Niño ? Safety Tips During For more information about flood safety or the El Niño conditions are characterized by unusually warm Floods National Flood Insurance Program go to ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. El Niño www.floodsmart.gov. conditions do not “cause” individual storms but rather  Do not attempt to drive, walk, or wade For information and technical assistance regard- influence their frequency and characteristics. This through deep pockets of water or running ing flood maps, insurance, drainage problems, El Niño event is forecast to rival previous strong El Niño washes. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock permit issue, reporting illegal dumping, and events, such as 1982/83 and 1997/98. you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehi- grading, contact Floods cle away. What does this mean for Oceanside? El Niño can City of Oceanside, Development Services, Engineering Division at (760) 435-3950. bring increased and more frequent rainfall across San  If there is a chance of flash flooding, move Diego County. The wet conditions are expected to ex- immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are For Reverse 9-1-1 Cell Phone notification, tend January through April. Heavy and prolonged rains the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US. Self Register at: ReadySanDiego.org can cause mudslides, flash floods, and flooding in low lying areas.  Avoid low-lying areas, ditches and unstable & banks or slopes. Leave the flooded area or seek It is critical to remember that the City of Oceanside is a shelter on the highest floor, attic, roof top, or area if coastal city subject to wave action, tidal and storm possible. surge flooding from the Pacific Ocean, and is vulnerable For further information, contact: to riverine flooding from San Luis Rey River, Loma Alta,  If floodwaters rise around your car but the Garrison, Buena Vista, Pilgrim Creeks and their tributar- water is NOT moving, www.elnino.noaa.gov ies. There are over 5000 properties and 3700 buildings abandon the car and El Niño www.readysandiego.org/el-nino/ in the City of Oceanside that are located in the Special move to higher ground. Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Heavy rains during 2010 Do not leave the car and www.211SanDiego.org caused some property damage, several roads including enter moving water. Coast Highway at Buena Vista Lagoon and Center Street www.readyoceanside.org were impassable, and a mudslide damaged some hous-  Move valuable furniture, EMERGENCY es on Skylark. The flood water was 3 feet deep at Coast appliances, memorabilia, Stay Connected—Follow us Highway due to heavy rains and high tides. Being pre- important documents to higher floors when possible. pared is your best defense against such events.  Avoid camping or parking along streams, riv- Oceanside Fire Department / City of Oceanside INFORMATION ers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning. @Oceanside_Fire / @CityofOceanside

 Do not call 9-1-1 for information. Listen to radio Do Not Dump it is against the law City Engineering Division provides information station KOGO/AM 600 for weather updates and Floodplains are a natural component of the City envi- and technical assistance regarding flood plain and emergency information or watch KOCT TV. Access ronment. They are part of the City’s drainage system drainage issues such as: to provide flood storage and conveyance, to reduce information with your smartphone through the SD flood velocity, erosion, and deposition of sediments  Responding to citizen’s complaints on drainage or Emergency App. and to improve groundwater recharge. Floodplains are flooding problems. Providing site visits when request- a scenic, valued wildlife habitat, and suitable for farm- ed to review flooded areas, drainage problems, and  Call 2-1-1 San Diego for information. 2-1-1 is a re- ing. retro-fitting issues. source and information hub that connects people with It is illegal to dump trash, chemicals, leaves, land-  Providing one-on-one advice during or after site visits health and disaster services via by phone or web. scape debris, paint, grease, or any other material into on how to mitigate for flood damage, flood proofing, any portion of the City’s drainage system, along the elevating buildings and other flood protection rivers and beaches. Such dumping can have devastat- measures. ing impacts on the natural flood plain function, water quality, habitat areas, in addition to causing flooding,  Providing FIRM information such as determining flood and it is a violation of City Ordinance No. 40.1.2. To City of Oceanside zones, flood depth, base flood elevation, building ele- report drainage problems, obstructions, or illegal vation, data on historical flooding events, and copies dumping, please contact Storm Water Maintenance at of available elevation certificates. Disaster Preparedness (760) 435-5800 or check City website at http:// www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/gov/water/clean/report.asp  Return home only when authorities say it is safe Before a Flood: Be Flood Ready!  Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded Know your flood risk. Are you in the flood zone? Low and watch out for debris, washed-out roads. lying areas in the City along the Pacific Ocean, the rivers, and the creeks are particularly exposed to potential  Do not attempt to drive through areas that are still flooding. Such areas are usually identified as flood zone flooded. areas on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) pub- lished by the Federal Emergency Management Agency  Avoid standing water as it may be polluted or elec- (FEMA). Copies of FIRMs are available at the City’s Engi- trically charged from underground or downed power neering Division or they can be viewed on lines. www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/engineering. To find out if you live in a flood hazard area, go to www.msc.fema.gov.  If your house is damaged, do not enter until it is permitted to do so. Consider purchasing flood insurance. Standard homeowner’s insurance policies DO NOT usually cover  Photograph damage to your property for insurance losses from flooding. A separate flood insurance policy purposes. may be required to cover damages incurred by flooding to a building and its contents. Before making improvements or doing any construc-  Just a couple of inches of flooding can cost thousands of tion or repairs, contact the City Building and Engi- dollars in damages. Tenants may also buy flood insur- neering Divisions for required permits at (760) 435- ance against flood loss. Note: There is generally a 30-day 3950, or 760-435-5086 or send an e-mail to: waiting period before coverage goes into effect. [email protected].

More than 25 percent of National Flood Insurance Program  Hire only licensed and insured contractors to repair (NFIP) claims are filed by properties located outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Contact the City or your insurance and rebuild damaged buildings. agency for more information. Flood insurance information is also available at http://www.Floodsmart.gov. Meet improvement requirements. National Flood Insurance Program requires that all new The City Of Oceanside participates in the Commu- For description of flood zones and viewing FIRMs check: Readyoceanside.org/floods and substantially improved buildings in SFHA meet FE- nity Rating System (CRS), which enables residents MA development requirements. All new buildings in- to receive a discount on their flood insurance. Register your cell phone with AlertSanDiego Protect your property from the hazards of flood- cluding room additions in the SFHA need to be elevated (Reverse 9-1-1) to receive emergency notifications. ing by: above Base Flood Elevation. If the cost of reconstruc- Know The Flood Warning System Educate your children about flooding and other haz- Elevating the building above BFE “Base Flood Eleva- tion, additions, or other improvements to an existing Flood Watch Flooding is possible ards such as dangers of fires, earthquakes, and tsuna- tion” (elevation of a 100-year flood, based on the building in the SFHA equals or exceeds 50% of the FIRM), if possible. Flash Flood Flooding is possible with little or no mis. Talk to them about safety, family emergency plan, building’s market value, then the existing building must Watch warning how and when to call 911, police, fire, or other family Keep water away from the building by: re-grading the meet the same construction requirements as a new Flood Warn- Flooding is imminent (it may take members. lot, building flood walls, or earthen berms. Use water- building. Substantially damaged buildings must also proof materials and place water tight closures over the ing several hours/days to occur) Build an emergency preparedness kit of non- be brought up to the same standards. For example, a openings. Flash Flood Flash flooding is imminent & precau- perishable food, water, blankets, clothes, batteries, residence damaged from fire or flood so that the cost of Warning tions should be taken. flashlights, a manual can opener, battery-operated Elevate or locate electrical panel, furnace, water heat- repairs equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s value er, washer/dryer (all major equipment) above BFE. before it was damaged must be elevated above the National Weather Service (NWS) Alerts Flood watches, radio, cash, medication, copies of prescriptions and warnings, & forecast services are issued by (NWS). Lis- important documents, and place it in a waterproof back Protect and restrict the flow of flood water to lower BFE. levels, basements, and garages. ten to local radio stations for up-to-date information & pack and store in a safe and easy place to reach. Meet permitting requirements. All development within instructions: (KOGO 600) or TV stations (KOCT 18 & 19). Set up a plan for your pet. Pets may not be permit- If a flood is imminent, protect the building by sand- the city, particularly in the floodplain, requires a per- ted in the shelters. Include pet carrier, leash, food, bagging areas subject to the entry of water such as mit. Always check and fulfill permit requirements with How Can I Prepare? the entrance to the basements and vent openings. water, medications, & vaccination records in your the Development Services Department before you build Make a flood emergency plan. Have an out of area emergency kit. After a Flood: on, alter, fill, or re-grade any portion of your property contact person. Develop an emergency list of family Inventory, video, and photograph the content in and/or within any easement or road way. members, doctors, and insurance agents contact num-  Listen to the radio for emergency instructions. your home. It will be very useful if you have to claim a Report any unpermitted building and grading ac- bers. Fill out a Family Disaster Plan and Personal Surviv- loss with your insurance company.  Avoid driving if possible. tivity by calling the City at (760) 435-3950. al Guide NOW, available at readysandiego.org/family.