Winter Preparedness
I’m Ed Smith, a Lincoln personal injury lawyer. The wildfires affecting the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in October, LA’s current wildfires, and February floods affecting Northern California serve as a reminder that nature can have destructive and even deadly effects.
Last year in February, residents of nearby Maxwell were evacuated due to flooding. Seven days before that, over 100,000 residents of the Oroville area were evacuated when the emergency spillway at Lake Oroville seemed like it might overflow and flood downstream areas. Additionally, heavy rains almost always mean an increased likelihood of auto accidents resulting in traumatic injuries due to reduced visibility and vehicle control.
Experts say that the winter of 2017/2018 is projected to have heavy rainfall, and area residents should be prepared in order to avoid suffering avoidable weather-related injuries.
Rain to Come
According to a Lincoln City associate engineer, last winter, the area of Western Placer county saw significantly more than its typical five annual atmospheric rivers. Atmospheric rivers are narrow, long regions of atmosphere that carry water and release it as snow or rain.
Placer County Office of Emergency Services officials have said that the city’s main concern is atmospheric rivers, which typically bring a large amount of rain in a relatively small area. Officials indicated that flooding is a very regional concern and that area residents should be wary unless their houses are located at the top of a hill and they have access to backup power, heat, and food.
La Niña
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the La Niña conditions which caused heavy rainfall last year are expected to do so again until at least April throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Predictions for temperature and precipitation are showing similar precipitation rates.
Because the way these conditions can be hard to predict exactly, residents of Placer County have been advised to sign up for the local safety alert website, placer-alert.org. The website will give area residents notifications for any emergencies or threats that arise in the area including threats of wildfires and flooding. Knowing ahead of time when dangerous conditions are coming can help you to avoid being injured for lack of proper preparation.
General Advice for Lincoln CA Residents
Officials advise that Lincoln CA residents should prepare for storms by cleaning their gutters and drains of debris and leaves. Residents are also advised to keep a supply of water and non-perishable foods in case flooding causes a break in the food and water supply systems.
Driving Advice
The risk of auto accidents in flood conditions is high. Even moderate rains can make it difficult to see pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles as well as make roadways slick and more difficult to navigate.
In order to avoid serious accidents, drivers should never drive on roads that are covered with more than a few inches of water because their vehicles are liable to be pushed downstream. This may seem minor, but causes multiple drowning deaths in the United States every year.
We at AutoAccident.com hope you can stay prepared and be safe during this winter season.
More From Lincoln CA Personal Injury Lawyer, Ed Smith
Lincoln CA Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Lincoln personal injury lawyer. If you’ve suffered injuries because of the negligence of other parties, please call (530) 392-9400 for my friendly, free advice. If you are outside the area, I can also be reached at AutoAccident.com and (800) 404-5400.
For over 35 years, I’ve assisted Lincoln residents with wrongful death and personal injury claims with obtaining the money they are owed by law.
I’ve been reviewed by my clientele on: Google Avvo, and Yelp.
I’m in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. All of the group’s members have successfully obtained verdicts and/or settlements with over one million USD in value.
See my Previous Verdicts and Settlements.
Visit my site, AutoAccident.com, for top-notch reporting and information on Northern California car accidents and personal injury law.
picture: “Rain-bejing-2005” by Shizhao under CC A-SA3.0U
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