Great ShakeOut Happening October 15

October is the time of the Great ShakeOut. For this year’s event taking place October 15, enhance your preparedness and take proactive actions to improve your household.

Step 1: Stay Informed with Earthquake Alert Tools
The community is encouraged to sign up for and share trusted warning systems: California uses the Earthquake Early Warning System, to notify the public seconds to tens of seconds before the shaking starts, allowing users the opportunity to take life-saving actions.

• MyShake App – A free app (Google Play and Apple App Store) that sends alerts based on your “Home Base” location, even without active location services.
• Android Earthquake Alerts – Android phones with updated operating systems are automatically subscribed to Android Earthquake Alerts, which uses the same technology as the MyShake App.
• iPhone Government Alerts – Enable Emergency Alerts in Settings → Notifications to receive earthquake warnings.
• ReadySBC Alerts – Local notifications issued when additional hazards or protective actions may follow an earthquake. Sign up at ReadySBC.org.

Step 2: Secure your Space
Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Earthquake shaking can move almost anything, even large or heavy items. According to a study from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), 55% of the injuries during an earthquake were caused by falling furniture or objects. Try securing at least one item every weekend until you get everything done.

• Move heavy or large items to the floor or low shelves.
• Move things that can fall on you away from where you spend a lot of time.
• Move heavy or unstable objects away from doors and escape routes.
• Secure a water heater to wall studs with two metal straps.
• Use flexible connections where gas lines meet appliances (such as water heaters, ovens, and clothes dryers).
• Secure overhead light fixtures.
• Secure free-standing wood stoves or fireplace inserts.

Step 3: Review your plan
Planning for an earthquake or other emergency is not much different from planning for an event or vacation. Make sure that your emergency plan includes evacuation and reunion plans; your out-of-state contact person’s name and number; the location of your emergency supplies and other pertinent information.

Step 4: Organize your Supplies
Organize emergency supplies in convenient locations. Supplies give you peace of mind and support when resources may not be available. Build an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies.

Step 5: Minimize financial hardship
Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance coverage. Earthquakes may last only seconds but they can shake up our lives for weeks and months to come. You can minimize your financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property (home or other building) and considering earthquake insurance. Most houses, apartment buildings, or commercial buildings are not as safe as they could be, especially if they are more than 30 years old. While building codes have been improved over time, few building codes require issues with older buildings to be fixed. Still, there are things that you can do to improve the structural integrity of your home or other building.

Consider Earthquake insurance. Many companies issue California Earthquake Authority (CEA) insurance policies, which can help you replace your belongings, rebuild your home, or live elsewhere temporarily if your home is damaged by an earthquake. Learn more about CEA policies or contact your insurance company.

Read an updated write-up after the October 6th City Council meeting here.

It is hard to imagine preparing for winter weather when it is so hot outside, but now is the time to plan for what could be a wetter winter. While no one knows for sure the impacts El Niño and other weather events could have on Goleta, here at the City we are planning ahead for a potential intense rainy season and encourage you to do the same. The more we all are prepared for whatever conditions come our way, the safer our community will be.

At the October 6^th Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. staff will outline the many ways the City is taking action to prepare for the upcoming storm season. We encourage you to join us in person in Goleta City Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive), watch live on our website or the City’s YouTube channel, or participate via Zoom (instructions in the agenda). Staff will cover:

• Inspecting and clearing City storm drains, inlets, catch basins, culverts and other drainage infrastructure.
• Targeting tree removal and maintenance for trees that are dead, hazardous or have an increased risk of failure during high winds and saturated conditions.
• Conducting a mock emergency preparedness training during an extreme winter weather event.in the City’s Emergency Operations Center.
• Working with the County of SB and regional flood control partners to ensure waterways and channels are clear of excess debris and able to safely convey stormwater.
• Reviewing emergency response plans, preparing equipment and resources, and coordinating with partner agencies so we are ready to respond to weather conditions.
• Preparing all city facilities for potential flooding by clearing roofs and gutters of debris, testing downspouts and clearing obstructions. Facilities include but are not limited to the Goleta Community Center, the Stow House and the Southcoast Railroad Museum.
• Preparing back-up plans for Goleta Valley Library Express outdoor programming and Book Van stop locations.
• Homeless Services Division to ensure shelter beds are available and work with service providers to canvas and conduct outreach at encampments located in potential flood zones.

To read more about the actions the City is taking, read the staff report at: https://tinyurl.com/5azadf9w.

On October 1^st, the County of Santa Barbara conducted a virtual meeting to update the community on potential impacts of El Niño and winter weather and to what to do to prepare. There was a lot of information covered and great questions asked. Watch a recording on th County’s YouTube channel in English or Spanish.

So what exactly is an El Niño and what does it mean for Goleta?

El Niño is a climate event which influences global temperatures, precipitation patterns, and ecological systems. The exact outcomes in specific regions are uncertain.

The National Weather Service is keeping a close eye on ocean temperatures, which are warmer than normal. Warm ocean water is an important sign that El Niño is happening, but the atmosphere also needs to react to that warm water for storm paths to shift toward Southern California.

El Niño affects overall weather patterns, but it is not a storm. We cannot predict exactly when storms will happen or how strong they will be. A strong El Niño usually means we may have a wetter winter, but it does not guarantee that every neighborhood will have serious flooding or damage.

Even though ocean temperatures are already high and expected to stay warm through winter, the atmosphere has not yet fully connected with those conditions. This means we do not yet know exactly how El Niño will result in more rain this upcoming winter season.

So what can you do to prepare? Here are a some important steps:

Create a Plan
Talk with your family or household members about what to do during flooding. Decide on safe meeting places, practice evacuation routes, and make sure everyone knows how to contact each other if separated.

Keep Supplies
Build an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies. Flooding can cause power outages, so prepare in case you lose power. Have back up batteries charged and ready to go, and be careful of food spoilage if your fridge is no longer keeping things cold.  

Know Your Neighborhood
The first thing to do is remember where flooding is common, you can click here to see FEMA’s flood maps of Goleta. The maps are very detailed so zoom in and out to find a good view of your home (look for the blue and orange to see your flood risk). Be sure to look at your driving route to your neighborhood also; driving through flood waters is never a good idea. Turn around, don’t drown.

Prepare Your Home Before the Rain

• Check your roof for damaged or missing shingles, tiles, or other areas where water could enter.
• Secure outdoor items such as furniture, umbrellas, planters, and decorations that could be moved by strong winds.
• Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure water can flow away from your home.
• Clear leaves and debris from storm drains and drainage areas around your property.
• Check drainage around your property and address areas where water tends to collect.
• Rember normal homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding. Consider purchasing flood insurance. Learn more about it here at FEMA’s website.
• Stock up on sandbags. There are three sandbag locations in the City. Please be courteous to others and take only what you think you will need.

Prepare Your Vehicles Before the Rain

• Check your tires for proper inflation and adequate tread.
• Inspect your windshield wipers and replace them if they are worn or leaving streaks.
• Check your headlights, brake lights and turn signals to make sure you can see and be seen in rainy conditions.
• Check your brakes and address any unusual noises or changes in performance.
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with a flashlight, phone charger, water, basic first-aid supplies and other essentials.

NOAA Weather Radio
The County recommends community members get a NOAA weather radio to keep in a central location in your home. When other systems fail, these radios can provide a reliable way to receive life-saving alerts and critical instructions. NOAA Weather Radios equipped with a special alarm tone feature will automatically activate when an emergency alert is issued, even if the radio is not turned on. When triggered, the radio sounds a loud alert tone and begins broadcasting the warning message. Learn more about NOAA Weather Radios here.

Register for Alerts
Be sure you are signed up for Emergency Alerts at ReadySBC.org. Remember if we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

Thanks to Santa Barbara County for providing these tips.

Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year, filled with costumes, candy, decorations, and neighborhood fun. With more people out and about after dark, a little preparation can go a long way in helping everyone enjoy the night safely. 

Whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids, heading out with friends, welcoming visitors, or staying home with your pets, these simple precautions can help make Halloween fun for everyone.

🎃 Costume Safety

• Choose costumes that fit well and won’t cause trips.
• Add reflective tape, glow sticks or LED lights to stay visible.
• Skip masks that block vision; try face paint instead.
• Check that costumes are flame-resistant and keep them away from candles and open flames.

📱 Plan Ahead

Before heading out, take a few minutes to plan the evening.

• Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
• Pick a meetup spot in case anyone gets separated.
• For teens, agree on a return time and who they’ll be with.
• Charge phones and bring a flashlight or headlamp.

🚗 Watch for Pedestrians

Drivers should slow down, stay off their phones, and watch carefully for children crossing streets or entering roadways.

Pedestrians should use sidewalks and crosswalks, look both ways, and walk, don’t run, when crossing.

🍬 Trick-or-Treat Safely

For younger children, a trusted adult should join the fun. Older kids should stick with friends and stay in familiar areas. Bright clothing, reflective gear, and lights can help make everyone easier to spot.

Stay on sidewalks and established paths, and avoid alleys, vacant lots, and unfamiliar areas. Never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.

And before digging into the candy haul, give it a quick inspection. Discard anything unwrapped, damaged, or suspicious.

🐾 Keep Pets Safe

Halloween can be stressful for pets. Keep them in a quiet, secure area away from the front door, and only dress them up if they’re comfortable.

Keep chocolate, candy containing xylitol, and wrappers out of reach. Make sure ID tags and microchip information are current in case your pet escapes.

A little preparation goes a long way. Stay alert, look out for one another, and have a safe, happy, and spooktacular Halloween!