Jan
18
2010

It is raining cats and dogs in Berkeley and the surrounding areas… Check your sump pumps!

El Nino is coming to Berkeley for dinner tomorrow?
Wait! I am not ready!
It’s raining, it’s pouring, soon we all will be snoring.

Checked the weather lately?
Did you know that it is supposed to rain for the NEXT TWO WEEKS?

A biologist friend sent me an email from a climate scientist that said “The next 2-3 weeks (at least) are likely to be more active across California than any other 2-3 week period in recent memory. The potential exists for a dangerous flood scenario to arise at some point during this interval, especially with the possibility of a heavy rain-on-snow event during late week 2. This is likely to be a rather memorable event.”

My friend also said that she remembers waking up a few years back to a flooded basement so it got me thinking:

Are you prepared?

Is your house prepared?

This is that time of year when you want to check that your sump pump is working, that your windows seal, that your gutters are cleaned out, that your roof is in good shape, that your outside drains and rain barrels are free of debris, and that you have fresh batteries in case of a power outage.

The scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting heavy precipitation, powerful winds, and dangerous flooding. I know I wouldn’t want to be wading through my basement when it could have been prevented. If you need a referral to a tradesperson to help you out, just let me know. Until then, here is a recipe for your rainy day forecast:

DVD’s? Check. Jammies? Check. Hot Cocoa? Check. Sump Pump? Uh oh.

Time to pull out your slickers and galoshes…hope you stay dry!