Historic Storm Highlights Importance of Preparedness

By Greg Mellen

For a second consecutive year, as climate change continues to redefine expectations about weather, Southern California has been hit with unprecedented winter weather.

With Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency, rain continues to fall in record doses across Southern California. Residents should take stock of the current situation, and prepare for the next time severe weather strikes.

ReadyOC, Orange County’s preparedness website, should be kept close at hand. Winter has struck with a vengeance, with pounding rains, flash floods, power outages, landslides, and swift water rescues all in the news. However, simple precautions and steps taken now could save untold heartache going forward.

This week, Southern California found itself in the barrel of an atmospheric river, or Pineapple Express, as the jet stream dropped south and drew warm, moist air to the area. The system also slowed over the coast, adding to the precipitation totals.

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