STORMY WEATHER - EMERGENCY INFO
Joshua Tree National Park closes down, and we open our comments and chat for sharing weather related info
Note: We just issued Part 2, with info on how to use sandbags and City preparedness.
The powerful remnants of Hurricane Hilary are headed our way. A few Indian Cove residents were treated to an early taste of August monsoon weather last Sunday when a sudden rainstorm produced .75 inches of rain in three hours. Hilary, by comparison, is forecast to dump 5+ inches of rain over the next three days in addition to bringing lightning, thunder and wind gusts of 30mph.
The flooding signs have already been placed along 62 and Joshua Tree National Park sent out an alert earlier today:
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Joshua Tree National Park starting August 19th at 11 am until August 21 at 5 pmThe Park is expected to receive significant rainfall and flash flooding. Park management will be initiating a full closure of the Park over the next 36 hours.
Several people were filling sandbags from the piles located at San Bernardino County Fire Station 44 located at 6560 Adobe Rd. This writer was tossed a roll of 10 sandbags without having to knock on the door. As of 7pm Friday evening a sign was posted advising people to return on Saturday morning to pick up bags.
Before heading out for sandbags you may want to check the flooding potential of your location at FEMA maps - https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps
Desert Trumpet will be keeping our live chat open over the weekend so readers can share storm information in real time.
Below is a list of preparedness tips thanks to LA City Emergency Services, which we’ve amended with local info. Stay safe everyone!
When preparing for the storm, take the following actions:
Secure your outdoor space- move furniture, umbrellas, and other light weight items to indoor or secured areas to ensure they don’t fly away
Gather emergency supplies that will allow you to shelter in place during the storm, including food, water, radios, medication, and pet supplies
Prepare for power outages with batteries, flashlights, backup cell phone chargers and charging cables
Pick-up sandbags from the 29 fire station on Saturday morning August 19: 6560 Adobe Rd., Twentynine Palms. (760) 367-7524. We understand the Base fire station is still handing out bags on Friday evening. Builders Supply in 29 also has bags for sale, and will open Saturday morning.
Prepare medical devices and cell phones for potential power outages by charging them completely and getting back-up systems ready
Check in on your neighbors to make sure they know about the storm conditions and are prepared
Check storm drains where you live and in your neighborhood to make sure they are cleared of debris
During the storm, take the following actions:
Avoid driving if at all possible. Dangerous road conditions are anticipated throughout the region
Bring pets inside during the storm to keep them safe from falling debris
Call 911 for life-threatening situations, such as people trapped by flooding or damaged trees, and debris flows threatening buildings
Assume all downed power lines are electrified and dangerous. Call 911 if there is a downed power line.
Do not operate generators indoors or in garages. Generator operation tips can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/use-generators-safely-home
Al prepararse para la tormenta, tome las siguientes medidas:
Asegure su espacio afuera: mueva muebles, sombrillas y otros artÃculos livianos a áreas interiores o seguras para asegurarse de que no se vayan volando
Reúna suministros de emergencia que le permitan refugiarse en el lugar durante la tormenta, incluidos alimentos, agua, radios, medicamentos y suministros para mascotas.
Prepárese para cortes de energÃa con baterÃas, linternas, cargadores de respaldo para teléfonos celulares y cables de carga
Recoja bolsas de arena en su estación de bomberos local. 6560 Adobe Rd., Twentynine Palms. (760) 367-7524
Prepare dispositivos médicos y teléfonos celulares para posibles cortes de energÃa cargándolos por completo y preparando sistemas de respaldo
Notifiquen a sus vecinos para asegurarse de que sepan sobre las condiciones de la tormenta y estén preparados
Revise los desagües pluviales cercanos donde vive y en su vecindario para asegurarse de que no tengan escombros
Durante la tormenta, tome las siguientes medidas:
Evite conducir si es posible. Se prevén condiciones peligrosas en las carreteras en toda la región
Lleve a las mascotas adentro durante la tormenta para mantenerlas a salvo de la caÃda de escombros
Llame al 911 para situaciones que amenazan la vida, como personas atrapadas por inundaciones o árboles dañados, y flujos de escombros que amenazan edificios
Share your thoughts in the comments below or in our live chat in the Substack app.
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Emergency food if the power goes out. H/T Julie Dole, Wonder Valley
Nonperishables:
Hard-boiled eggs.
Ramen — just add hot water.
Seedy crispbreads —
Crackers of all kinds.
Bean dips: Hummus, Black bean dip, White bean dip etc.
Salsa.
Saurkraut or Kimchi. Eaten straight from the jar. bottled pesto, artichokes, and mushrooms
Chocolate.
Potato Chips and Tortilla Chips —
Pre-seasoned tofu, tempeh bacon, veggie burgers, yogurt — less likely to spoil than fresh meat.
Grassfed beef jerky, turkey jerky, bison jerky, salmon jerky.
Dried fruit.
Nuts and seeds.
Nut butters.
Snap pea crisps.
Avocado —
Canned fish —
Vegetable pickles — cucumber, carrot, beet etc.
Prepared falafels
Fresh blueberries — one of the only fresh fruits that lasts!
Olives.
Canned dolmas.
Canned seasoned beans.
Packets of pre-made shelf-stable curries
I knew a New Orleans-based NPS ranger who lived on canned Cajun stewed tomatoes for a week after Katrina....
Helpful info on how to place sandbags via Todd PIesco and SB County:
Here's some guidance from https://sbcfire.org/sandbags/
Using Sandbags
The Army Corps of Engineers gives detailed instructions on how to best place sandbags, so they are most effective:
Remove any debris from the areas where bags are to be placed.
Place the bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of flow. Fill the low spots first before placing bags the full length of the area to be raised.
Place the sandbags to redirect water, mud or debris, not dam it.
Do NOT place sandbags directly against the outer wall of a building. Wet bags can create added pressure on the foundation.
Fold the open end of the bag under the filled portion. Place succeeding bags with the bottom of the bag tightly and partially overlapping the previous bag.
Offset adjacent rows or layers by one-half bag length to avoid continuous joints.
To eliminate voids and form a tight seal, compact and shape each bag by walking on it and continue the process as each layer is placed. This flattens the top of the bag and prevents slippage between succeeding layers.
Sandbags can best be used to help protect doorways if a waterproof layer like heavy plastic or waterproof canvas is placed behind them. If possible, tape it to the door frame. Stack the sandbags in a pyramid formation, following the above instructions, and wrap the plastic up and over the top. The waterproof sheeting is always essential for protection of doorways.