What is El Niño?
El Niño is a naturally occurring event near the equator which causes temporary changes in the world climate. Originally El Niño was the name given to the occurrence that resulted in warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño now refers to the Pacific Ocean surface temperature changes and global weather events.
The warmer waters in the Pacific Ocean had a direct affect on the atmosphere resulting in more rainfall. By all accounts, El Niño is the larger than any recent ones on record. What experts are telling us is that we could see record rainfall in 2016, more than what we saw in one of the worst winter seasons dating back to 1997/1998.
What does this mean for you?
If what the experts are telling us true, we could see increased flooding through the Bay Area. Any time we hear warnings like this, it’s important that you prepare. Depending on where you live you may be stuck at home for days at a time. Make sure you and your family is prepared for what may be one of the wettest winters in recent memory. Your local city/county have preparations in place in case of flooding and power outages. If you live in low lying area’s, make sure you are aware of locations to pick up sandbags to divert water from your home or business.
Preparing at home
- Have plenty of bottled water
- Stock up on canned foods
- Replace batteries in flashlights
- Have candles in an easy to reach place
- Purchase tarps
- Clean out your gutters and drains
- Fix leaks
- Have empty buckets in case of leaks
- Consider purchasing a generator
- Install a sump pump in basements or crawl spaces
Heating Your Home
Maintaining a proper heating source is essential during the winter. When it is an El Niño year with higher rainfall it’s even more important to have a proper heating source. Make sure your ducts are clean and in proper condition. If you use a wood burning stove, wood burning fireplace or wood burning insert, make sure you have a large stock pile of wood in an dry place with easy access to it.
If you don’t want to stock wood, you may want to look at converting to a gas buring fireplace, stove or insert. Gas units will provide ample heat for your home with a constant source of fuel through the winter. Today’s energy efficient gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts are EPA certified.
If you have questions about wood burning or gas burning stoves, fireplaces and inserts, contact one of our heating specialist to make sure your unit can provide enough heat for your home.
Warming Trends, Inc.
Doing our best to keep you warm and safe this winter
