PALOS VERDES ESTATES • DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
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DISASTERS IN OUR AREA
What events are most likely to occur?
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Earthquakes
California is prone to earthquakes because of its location along fault lines, places where fragments of the Earth's crust slide along one another. An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of these fragments. Earthquakes can act as triggers for fires, tsunamis, landslides, avalanches and liquefaction (a process whereby soil becomes saturated with water and thus acts like a liquid, unable to support structures like office buildings and homes). California is most susceptible to earthquakes and its possible consequences. Some of the most deadly disasters in the state since 1950 have been earthquakes.
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What can we do about earthquakes? We can learn more about them and prepare for future occurrences:
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Sign up for Alert LA County:
lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/
Download the Statewide Earthquake App: MyShake app
Download a step-by-step guide for staying safe before, during, and after an earthquake
Wildfires
Southern California is experiencing increasingly drier and warmer than average conditions. Paired with stronger and more frequent Santa Ana wind events, fire potential remains high. Millions of acres burn in forested and wooded areas. Our city is among the uniquely verdant areas in Los Angeles and is therefore in a risk fire zone.
What can we do about wildfires? We can do our part to safeguard our homes and surrounding property by following simple fire prevention measures. CAL FIRE offers easy to follow safety precautions.
The L.A. County Fire’s READY! SET! GO! brochure is an essential emergency preparation booklet that includes how to prepare a personal Wildfire Action Plan including where and when to evacuate.
Sign up to follow on Twitter:
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Stay informed about Southern California Edison improvements and innovations to help prevent wildfires
​Landslides
Landslides are common in Southern California and their occurrence is mainly due to intense rainfall, but occasionally triggered by earthquakes.
What can we do about landslides? Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your property from the effects of a landslide or debris flow.
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Extended Power Outages
Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. When the electrical power goes out unexpectedly its impacts are widespread:
• disrupted communications, water and transportation.
• retail business closures––grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks and other services.
• food spoilage and water contamination.
• prevent use of medical devices.
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What can we do about extended power outages? We can learn more about handling an outage by having back-up power and a plan to ride it out.
Events Severely Limiting City Resources
Rest assured that our city and police department have a well-coordinated response plan that kicks-in immediately to aid the community and save lives. Depending upon the severity of the disaster, city resources may become strained. You are the help until help arrives. Minimize the impact by being as prepared and as self-sufficient as possible.
Tsunamis
Catastrophic tsunamis are rare, but every coastline in the world is vulnerable to a tsunami.
What can we do about tsunamis? Diminish adverse impacts through community preparedness, timely warnings and effective response.​​​
Get official warnings from:
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FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Being ready for wildfire starts with maintaining an adequate defensible space around your home, keeping foliage trimmed and flammable materials at a safe distance. Following these guidelines will reduce your home’s fire risk. Devise your evacution plan and practice it with your family.
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Cut tree branches within ten feet of your roof
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Clear leaves, pine needles and debris from your roof
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Cover chimney and vents with ¼ inch wire mesh
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Keep decks clear of combustible items
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Keep working fire extinguishers on hand
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Keep wood piles and propane tanks away from house
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Store garbage combustibles away from ember entry points
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Have a garden hose, shovel, and rake readily available
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Double-pane windows reduce radiant heat risks
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Create a space buffer between your home and plants, brush and trees
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Landscape with drought tolerant and fire-resistant plants
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Maintain plants by removing dead branches and leaves
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Trim trees to space at least ten feet from others
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Avoid highly combustible trees in your landscaping
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Remove vines and climbing plants from combustible walls
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Avoid trees, especially highly combustible ones, near house walls
Additional wildfire information can be found at
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A special thanks to Cal Fire for their generous grant enabling the creation of KnowTheDrill campaign. CAL FIRE’s mission is to protect life and property through fire prevention engineering programs, law and code enforcement and education.