OUR VALLEY SANTA CLARITA
CITY
Message from the City Manager
It is a delicate balance . Our City and state desperately need the rain which is finally making progress toward ending the many years of drought . But the massive storms we have gotten this winter also cause dangerous conditions for those in the areas burned by last summer ’ s Sand Fire . Preparation and awareness are keys to making sure these conditions prevent or limit damage to property , injury or loss of life .
Ken Striplin , City Manager
You ’ ve no doubt seen the videos of cars being swept down washes as the waterways swell with rain water mixed with mud and debris . The average car can be swept off the road in just 12 inches of moving water . When a roadway is flooded there is no way to know what is under the water as far as debris , or if the pavement has been compromised and will no longer support a vehicle . Attempting to drive through water may also stall your engine , with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart your car . If you come upon a flooded street , take an alternate route . The City of Santa Clarita is proactive in maintaining City trees , property and facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of residents , homes and businesses . Trees and landscaping are continually inspected , trimmed or removed if deemed unsafe . Storm drains are cleaned four times a year and constantly monitored during storms to prevent drainage backup and consequent flooding . These are just a few of the many measures the City takes to be storm-ready .
When the rain is falling , our City crews are out monitoring the “ hot spots ” – areas that are prone to flooding . Debris is continuously cleared from streets during the storm . Our City team is in constant communication with our partners from Los Angeles County Public Works , Fire and Sheriff ’ s departments to determine if and when evacuation orders need to be issued .
Information is paramount during emergency situations and the City of Santa Clarita activates SantaClaritaEmergency . com to keep our community informed . This emergency blog is a one-stop spot for critical information such as road closures , shelter locations , resources , timely updates and much more . An emergency map is also provided to make evacuation and danger areas more easily recognized .
The City also utilizes Nixle , which allows real-time emergency notifications from public safety personnel to be quickly sent to you through email or text . Sign up by completing an online form at santa-clarita . com / ealerts or by texting “ SCEMERGENCY ” to the number “ 888777 .”
The City is very proactive in preparing for rains and the floods that could accompany heavy storms . Make sure your household is equally prepared . Keep emergency supplies on hand , such as a flashlight , water , food , first- aid kit and a portable radio with extra batteries . Learn how to turn off your utilities . Make sure your family is familiar with access route ( s ) in and out of your immediate neighborhood . If you see a downed power line , stay away and call 9-1-1 immediately . More rain tips are available at our Ready for Rain website at santa-clarita . com / ReadyForRain . If you live near an area prone to flooding or near the recent burn areas – I strongly encourage you to visit this website to prepare for heavy rain . Burn areas are the most susceptible to water , mud and debris slides due to lack of vegetation on steep slopes .
As they say … April showers bring May flowers , so there is a good chance we will have more rain before the season ends . Make sure you are prepared and be sure to visit santa-clarita . com / ReadyforRain and SantaClaritaEmergency . com for tips on what to do before , during and after a storm .
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