San Diego Distributes Flood Kits as Strong El Niño Looms

San Diego is rolling out a targeted emergency preparedness campaign for seniors as meteorologists predict a strong El Niño pattern for the upcoming fall and winter. The city aims to mitigate the specific risks that extreme rain and flooding pose to older residents.

The initiative involves three workshops held at local senior centers. City staff are distributing personal disaster plan books and physical sandbags to help residents build immediate defenses against rising water. These materials serve as the initial step in a larger effort to guide seniors through emergency planning.

Jason Shanley, a captain with the Office of Emergency Services, explained the strategy during a visit to the Cathy Hopper Friendship Center. "We want to make sure that they're prepared very early… and we want to create these reminders really often to give them the best chance to have the greatest success in the event that they're going to have to make some kind of a decision," Shanley said. His team is emphasizing the need for early action rather than last-minute reactions.

Residents are also being advised to inspect existing flood protection equipment. Shanley recommended that seniors test older sandbags to ensure they retain their structural integrity and can still hold weight without leaking. "If you've had sandbags from a couple of years ago or ones that are a little bit older, you may wanna test them to see if they still have the structural integrity to be able to hold the sand that's in there," he said.

Anne Bilyeu Dirks, a senior attending the workshop, cited her experience with the 1998 El Niño as a primary motivator for early preparation. "I remember in '98 they had a huge El Niño and our streets were flooded… you worry about your roof and whether you can get to the grocery store," Bilyeu Dirks said. She emphasized the necessity of stocking water, food, pet food, and prescriptions.

Shanley urged participants to store critical documents in weatherproof boxes and keep medications in easily accessible locations. He also advised including pet medication in emergency kits. "We wanna make sure that it's not just your medication that you're packing, but you're also packing the medication for your pet," he said.

The city is providing additional logistical support for those with limited mobility. Homebound seniors can access transportation assistance, while residents in flood-prone zones are eligible for sandbag deliveries. This direct support aims to remove barriers for seniors who cannot easily transport heavy materials or travel to distribution sites.