El Nino / Flood Preparedness Montecito Association October 26, 2015

El Nino Preparations A shared Responsibility So what do we all need to be doing? “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” – Yogi Berra

Notable Recent Strong El Nino Years

South Coast Flooding Urban Flooding – triggered by water generated in lower, impervious areas. Possible in any rain event (July 2015) Stream Flooding – triggered by higher volume, sustained rainfall on a primed watershed (Antecedent Index – AI). Higher Potential exists when back to back storms prime the watershed.

Preparations Individual Site Drainage Creek Maintenance Work – County – Private Flood Insurance? Sand and Bags

Flood Control Preparations Annual Maintenance Plan – Prepare Every year Debris Basins – Fall Prep – Winter Response Sand and bags Public Outreach Planning

Flood Control Maintenance Most creek areas are private property Flood Control strives to maintain channel bottom open Bank erosion issues

Winter Response -Mobilize Contractors -Seek State / Fed Disaster -Restore major facilities

Online Resources santabarbara.onerain.com/home.php

Questions