EL Nino Preparation

El Nino Southern Oscillation(ENSO) a tropical weather pattern that occurs once every three to seven years. ENSO weather patterns are characterized by above average warming of the surface temperature of the waters in the eastern portion Pacific Ocean; This results in extreme weather (E.G. droughts and floods) in many areas of the world.

1. Make an itemized list of personal property: clothing, furnishings and valuables. Take photographs of your home, both inside and out and store in a safe place. This helps the insurance adjuster to settle any claims and to help prove uninsured losses.

2. Form an evacuation plan. The key to surviving an El Nino flood is to learn the safest route away from your home to a safe area, in case you need to evacuate in a hurry.

3. Prepare a cache of emergency supplies. Keep a set of emergency cooking equipment, food, fresh batteries, flashlights and portable radios in good working order. If you live in an area prone to flooding, keep a supply of plywood, plastic sheeting and sandbags to protect your property.

4. Purchase flood insurance. Flooding is not always covered under natural disaster insurance and will require a separate insurance policy specifically for flooding. Contact your insurance provider about flood insurance, most insurance companies have a 30 day waiting period before the policy takes effect. Keep your insurance policies and itemized list of personal property in a safe location.