Ventura Officials Discuss Storm Season Preparation

Joining worried officials up and down the West Coast, Ventura city officials leaped onto the El Nino bandwagon Monday night, discussing how to prepare for what could be the biggest winter storm season to lash the California coast since the winter of 1982-83, when the last El Nino hit.

Fire Chief Dennis Downs told the council that a citizens guide to coping with El Nino is due out in the next several weeks. City officials will also be working with residents living on the hillsides or near the beach, where homes may be more vulnerable to rain, wind, waves and mudslides.

Some city staff members have already been trained to serve as public information officers in emergency situations.

In addition, police, fire and public works staff are taking special precautions.

Police are making sweeps of the Ventura River bottom to ensure that no homeless people are living there. In areas considered at risk, evacuation routes and traffic control plans are being drawn up.

The Fire Department, meanwhile, is updating evacuation plans for areas such as the Ventura River RV park and is conducting swift-water rescue practices.

Finally, public works staff members are clearing debris from clogged drainage pipes, trimming trees in preparation for high winds and constantly monitoring the size of ocean swells to prepare for possible flooding.

El Nino phobia is sweeping the nation. The weather-altering phenomenon, which is named after the Christ child because it often comes near Christmas, caused $100 million in damage along the California coastline in the winter of 1982-83. Scientists are predicting that this year could be even worse.

Downs’ status report to the council came just as Gov. Pete Wilson announced a state summit to discuss preparedness plans for El Nino and 10 days before federal officials descend on Santa Monica to hold their own El Nino summit.