• Special CERT Meeting: El Ñino Preparedness

Wildomar city hall was about 70% full with locals interested in the county's message on the [promised] El Ñino due to invade sometime this Winter. It was perfect timing too, considering we had heavy rains in the morning which led to many headaches throughout the area.

The meeting started with Mayor Ben Benoit and Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore greeting the audience and then introducing Les Chapman, Wildomar's go to guy when it comes to Maintenance Operations around the city.

Les Chapman (in the orange vest) discussing flooding.                  Photo courtesy of the Mayor.

"If you learn one thing coming out of here (tonight's meeting), [it's that] we're going to flood," Les told the crowd.

Sandbags are available for residents of Wildomar, at Fire Station 61, and the open lot behind the cemetery. Be prepared to fill your own bags, so bring a second person with you if possible.

Below is a comprehensive How To video on the use of sandbags, with an added bonus of hearing the it narrated by an Australian. It's a very well produced video and worth your five minutes if you are a sandbag novice.

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Les then made way for Zuzette Bricker, the local CERT training officer. She spoke on various aspects and inherent dangers in flooding and showed slides. 

Zuzzete Bricker breaking it all down.            Photo Courtesy of  the Mayor Pro-Tem.

Though we took pictures, I think it makes more sense to just give you the link to the same slides with the info already embedded, than to recap it. Follow the link below to the slides.

Use this link to access the material.

The take away from this meeting is that you need to be prepared for potential flooding, especially if you know that you live in an area that is prone to flood. 

Nothing worse than filling sandbags in the rain after your living room is three inches underwater.

You should already be making your home safe from hazards that can make heavy rains and flooding worse for you. If you have flood prone areas, no one is going to snicker at you if you put the sandbags in now. 

Remember, don't stack them more than three high. Taller than that and they aren't stable. If you need more protection than three bags will provide, you need to consider permanent barriers for the job.

Flood Insurance was also discussed. Many homeowners just presume that they are covered for flooding. You might want to make a call to your agent to double check.

Better to be prepared for an event that doesn't happen, that to be caught off guard.

In all cases you should have supplies that will see you through at least three days without utilities. That means fresh water, and food that doesn't need cooking... don't forget your pets. Any medications you need and a Go Bag that has a clean change of [warm] clothes. You never know when you're going to need to evacuate your home.

There is an upcoming CERT Class that you should consider attending (it's free). Oh, CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. It'll be at Wildomar city hall October 9th -11th. 

City of Wildomar CERT Program

Community Services Director

City of Wildomar

23873 Clinton Keith Rd Ste. 201

Wildomar, CA 92595

(951) 677-7751 ext.206

zuzzette.bricker@fire.ca.gov

Here is a link to a blog I wrote about the CERT class I took back in 2013.

 My, how my blogging style has changed since then.

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There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. ― Colin Powell

Wildomar Rap is now on twitter... mercy me.