Laguna Canyon
SUGGESTIONS AIMED AT REDUCING FLOOD DAMAGE IN LAGUNA CANYON

Fourteen times in the history of the City, floods have caused significant structural damage in Laguna Canyon, where heavy rainfall quickly saturates the soil and overfills the creek on its way to the ocean. While the creek is often dry, with winter rains (from November to March) it may cover the canyon floor to a depth of four feet or more in places. Houses can fill with mud and water and cars, other large items and even people outdoors can be caught up in and carried by the flows. Flood water escaping from the channel downtown can flood shops and restaurants. In the flood of December 22, 2010, more than 90 homes and 70 businesses were damaged. Some of your neighbors have probably experienced such conditions and can tell you about them.

CONSTRUCTION IN THE FLOODPLAIN
You will need a floodplain development building permit for any construction in an area designated as subject to special flood hazard. (To find out whether your property is in the hazard zone, call the City planning staff with your parcel number or address.) Entirely new or substantially improved structures in the zone must be anchored, elevated, and floodproofed in accordance with the construction standards set forth in Municipal Code Section 25.38.050. If your property is situated within the Downtown Specific Plan area, additions or alterations that are valued at more than $5,000 must devote an additional 5% of the total remodeling cost to floodproofing of doors, windows, and other openings with removable barriers or sealants pursuant to Municipal Code Section 25.38.055.

MAINTENANCE OF THE CHANNEL
City staff endeavors to inspect the channel under Beach Street every two years, and the rest of the improved channel typically is inspected annually by the County. Where the channel is unimproved, property owners are encouraged to clear it of brush and debris that might block the flow before the rainy season begins. No native vegetation should be removed from the creek bed, however, and mechanized equipment may not be used.

EARLY WARNING OF SERIOUS FLOODS
The City expects to receive early warning of serious floods on the County’s “Alert” system and from a local system of rain gauges, web cameras for stream monitoring, and hillside soil saturation monitors. There is a reverse-911 system that, when appropriate and feasible, may be used for notifying residents and business owners about an approaching flood. If you have a land line, you are already in the system. If you don’t, you may call 497-0399 for assistance or use the web site at (lagunabeachcity.net/city hall/police/resources/alertoc.asp) to get your cell phone or alternate number listed.

GETTING READY
Before the rainy season begins in the fall, you can take steps to get ready for a possible flood, including the following:

1. If you have part of the unimproved channel on your property, clear it of brush and debris that might block the flow of flood water down the creek. Do not, however, remove native vegetation from the creek bed or use mechanized equipment in the channel.

2. Do what you can to “floodproof” your home or business:

  • Move valuables to higher places. 
  • Construct flood gates for the doorways (Contingency Floodproofing Measures - Gates). 
  • Pile sandbags (available free at the Fire Department) to keep water away from doors and windows: fill them half-full, fold top of the bag down and rest the bag on its folded top, and then stack one layer at a time, staggering the bags like bricks in a wall. (How to Sandbag) Apply a temporary water-resistive sealant (available at the hardware store) to windows and doors. 

3. Make sure that you have flood insurance. There is a 30-day waiting period before national flood insurance coverage takes effect. Renters can obtain coverage for the contents of their homes whether or not the building is covered. http://www.FloodSmart.Gov

4. If you live in the flood zone, be ready to leave if necessary: 

  • Make a household inventory, including video or photographs. 
  • Put insurance policies and valuable papers in a safe place. 
  • Assemble a disaster supplies kit, including a battery-operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries, first-aid supplies, bedding and clothing, and food and water. 
  • Get carriers for your animals and use them. Be sure that your animals have ID (licenses, tags or chips) so that they can be returned to you if lost. 
  • Learn how to turn off the gas and electricity before you go (see the City’s web site under “Evacuation” for helpful diagrams).
  • Park vehicles on higher ground.

5. Watch the weather. Whether or not you receive an emergency phone message from the City, be prepared to evacuate or, alternatively, to stay put. If there is water in the streets, you may be safer inside you house or on the roof. Six inches of water can knock you off your feet, and less than two feet of water can float a car. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately.