When Flash Floods Hit Southern California in the Summer

Flash floods are common in southern California's high desert neighborhoods like Palmdale, Lancaster, and the west Mojave Desert.

If you live in the desert areas of Southern California, there is a good chance you have experienced thunderstorms and flooding. This week, there has been non-stop news about flash flood warnings across parts of the Sierra Nevada deserts, including Death Valley, and the Mojave Desert. If we understand one thing about rain, it is that it does not stay put in one place. 

Unpredictable weather in the high desert areas

Palmdale, Lancaster, and the surrounding areas are no stranger to weather alerts and storm watches. It can be 95 degrees outside and a few hours later, the grey clouds begin to roll in. That can only mean one thing - be on the lookout for flash floods around your home and office. 


Watch vs. Warnings

Understanding the difference can save you both time and headaches. High desert residents never want to be unprepared for a storm coming from nowhere. A flood/flash flood watch means a flood/flash flood is possible in your area. A flood/flash flood warning means flooding/flash flooding is already occurring or is expected to arrive soon in your area. Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground. 


Local Evacuation Tips

Be sure to follow any evacuation orders and watch for the latest news. 

  • Listen to local radio, NOAA radio, or TV stations for the latest information and updates. People should keep informed about weather conditions and listen to the advice of local officials.
  • Downloading weather apps on your mobile phone can help you see where the storm is and what direction it is headed in. Sometimes, the wind shifts and the rain moves in the opposite direction.
  • Check your emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply. Keep it nearby.
  • Turn around, don’t drown. If driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
  • Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.
  • Keep children and pets out of the water.
  • Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to see flood danger.

 

Returning to the property

  • After a flood, under any circumstances, do not attempt to return to affected areas until officials say it is safe to do so.
  • Once you get the all-clear to go home, look for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, cracks in the foundation, or other damage before you enter your home.
  • During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.
  • Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into your home with the floodwater.
  • If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
  • If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
  • Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel, and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
  • Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils, and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out.

Three Golden Rules

There are 3 golden rules to remember. These are very easy for people to remember and prepare for an emergency:

  1. Build an emergency "go bag" - Start with a gallon of water per person daily. We recommend holding enough H2O for three to four days. Be sure to add non-perishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, medications, supplies for an infant if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information. Many of these items are available at your local Target, Walmart, or other local convenience store and market. 
  2. Talk with household members and create an evacuation plan. Practicing the plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
  3. Be informed - Learn about the community’s emergency response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required, and make plans for pets.

 Disaster Kits

One of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to have an emergency disaster kit. Put an adult in charge of it and be sure everyone in the house knows where it is. If someone already has a disaster kit in your household that they are responsible for, now is the time to be sure that the food and water are still okay to consume. It is also a great idea to make copies of important documents, so they are up to date. Things like medical cards and paperwork are a few things to double-check.  

If there already is an emergency plan for their household, be sure to talk about it again and again with family members. That way, everyone knows what to do and where to meet in case an emergency does happen. 


Call the Storm Damage Experts

Mother Nature can be unpredictable when it comes to storms, flash floods, and the damage it comes with. If you find your property damaged from flash floods and storms, you are not alone. Call our pros at Live Green Restoration now to speak to one of our water damage technicians. They can help you each step of the way. You can contact us at (661) 390-8255 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Give us a call now and we can begin scheduling an appointment to see how we can help you get your property back to the way it was.   

Location: Palmdale, CA, USA

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