Introduction
Have you noticed wetter winters, stronger storms, and strange periods of dryness on the weather forecast? If that’s the case, there’s a high chance that El Niño is responsible. The climate phenomenon changes the rainfall, temperature, and storm patterns across the whole of the United States, and it impacts different regions in different ways.While some areas prepare for floods and mudslides, others are preparing for drought and wildfires. Others still aren’t impacted much at all. Learning how the phenomenon will impact your area is the key to keeping your home, finances, and loved ones safe during the change.
In this guide, we’re going to discuss:
• What El Niño is and why it occurs
• How it tends to impact different regions across the US
• Steps to take to protect your home in each and every room
• Financial steps that you can take before the season changes
• Common mistakes that homeowners make when they’re trying to wait it out
• Popular El Niño questions and answers
Let’s get started with the basics.
What Is El Niño. What Is Its Significance?
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Brief explanation: El Niño is something that happens naturally. It is when the water in the Pacific Ocean gets really warm. This warm water is in the eastern parts of the ocean near the equator. When this happens it changes the way the air moves around. This affects the storms and the rain in North America for a time.
You should know that El Niño is not a single storm. It does not happen every year. It is a change in the way the ocean and the air work together. This change affects the weather around the world. El Niño happens about every two to seven years. It can last for nine months or longer than a year.
The important thing, about El Niño is that it makes it possible for certain types of rain to happen in some parts of North America. This rain can happen months before El Niño even arrives. El Niño creates conditions that're just right for this rain to happen. El Niño is significant because it affects the weather in places. El Niño is a deal because it can bring a lot of rain to some areas.
How El Niño Affects Different Parts of the US
El Niño impacts the US in ways depending on the region. Here is a brief overview of how El Niño affects each area:
• Southern California and Southwest: El Niño brings rain, which can cause flooding and mudslides.
• Gulf Coast and Southeast: Expect stormy weather during El Niño.
• Pacific Northwest: El Niño means winters and milder weather.
• Northern Plains and Upper Midwest: Winters are warmer and drier during El Niño.
• Ohio. Northeast: El Niño brings winters with varying rainfall.
• Hawaii: There is a risk of drought during El Niño.
For example in Coastal Southern California cities like those in Los Angeles County and San Diego County often see flooding and debris flows during strong El Niño winters. This is especially true, in areas that have recently had wildfires.
If you live in an area that will get rain during El Niño you need to prepare differently than if you live in a dry region. That's why the next section looks at each type of weather pattern separately.
El Niño Preparation: Getting Ready for More Water
If you live somewhere that receives additional rainfall and storms during an El Niño weather pattern, then you should start with water protection.
1. Check Your Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters are one of the most common — and one of the easiest to avoid — causes of leaking roofs and wet basements. Clean them out prior to the rainy season beginning, not after the first rains.
2. Check Your Roof
Check for:
• Missing or deteriorating shingles
• Cracking flashing around chimneys or vents
• Wet or soft spots on attic decking
If your roof held up well during a light winter, it may fail under sustained rains.
3. Slope the Ground Away from Your Foundation
Water needs to drain away from your home. A ground slope that drains towards your home may result in flooding within a couple of rain events.
1. Sump Pump Installation or Testing
If you have a basement, having an effective sump pump, with battery backup, would be one of the most valuable things you could do before the rainy El Niño winter, particularly when power outages during the storms tend to occur at the most inopportune times.
5. Protect Your Home with Sandbags, etc.
Garage doors, basement window wells, and low threshold openings are typical avenues of water entry. Sandbags, door dams, and hydraulic cement can help you buy some precious time during flash floods.
Drought/Fire Preparedness in Drier/Warmer El Niño Climate
The following are your primary concerns if your region generally tends to experience a drier/warmer El Niño cycle:
• Defensible space – remove all dead vegetation from around your buildings for a minimum distance of 30 feet.
• Less reliance on irrigation – plant drought-resistant landscaping.
• Test your HVAC systems – in case of a milder winter, the fire season and cooling demands will start earlier.
• Watch water restrictions – dry El Niño winters usually result in stricter water restrictions in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest regions.
Financial and Insurance Actions to Take Now
This is the point where getting ready becomes really important for your safety.
Look at your homeowners insurance policy. Your homeowners insurance policy usually does not cover flooding. If you live in a place that gets a lot of rain you should think about getting flood insurance from the NFIP or a private company. Just keep in mind that most flood insurance policies do not start working until 30 days after you buy them.
Take pictures of your home. Take a lot of pictures and videos of your house including the roof the foundation and the yard. This will make it easier to make an insurance claim if you need to.
You should also save some money for home repairs. Having a bit of money set aside will help you pay for repairs like fixing a hole, in the roof or renting a pump to get water out of your basement without having to wait for the insurance company to pay you.
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Get estimates from contractors before hurricane season starts. It is easier to find contractors, roofers and people who fix drainage problems before the hurricane season begins.
El Niño Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid
1. Not getting the roof inspected until the first rainstorm happens. It’ll be too late and you’re dealing with more delays and higher costs.
2. Expecting previous mild winters to translate into another. Each El Niño is unique and can vary greatly from year to year.
3. Not purchasing flood insurance because “it never flooded there before.” More than half of all flood insurance claims don’t occur in FEMA-defined high-risk flood zones.
4. Avoiding grading and gutter maintenance until water starts accumulating. The cost of these fixes prior to any flooding event will be far less expensive.
5. Neglecting the landscape maintenance in drought-pattern areas. Unhealthy or overgrown foliage is a fire hazard that could have been avoided earlier.
Steps Businesses and Farms Should Take
El Niño affects not homeowners but also businesses.
• Farming: Farmers in areas that get a lot of rain should think about fixing drainage and changing when they plant. Those in areas usually plan for extra watering and limits on water use.
• Construction and roofing firms: These businesses get busier as people prepare for storms. They do roof checks install guards and fix drainage. This usually happens months before El Niño starts.
• Retail stores: Stores that sell hardware and home improvement things get customers. People buy things like sump pumps, tarpaulins, sandbags and generators to get ready.
• Insurance agents: They should talk to their clients about getting flood insurance. This way clients are not, in a rush to buy insurance at the minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Niño necessarily mean more rainfall in the United States?
Not at all. El Niño will generally result in more rain in the South US and Gulf Coast while bringing dryer weather to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains regions. It really depends on where you live.
How long do the El Niño weather patterns last?
The El Niño weather pattern normally lasts from 9 to 12 months, but sometimes even longer. The effects are often felt mostly during winter months.
Is El Niño becoming more powerful due to global warming?
It is believed that there may be a correlation between the global warming and stronger El Niño weather patterns, although it is still being studied by scientists. However, each El Niño event can have quite different levels of intensity.
Should I get flood insurance even if I am not in a flood- area?
This is something you might want to think about. Many homes that are not in official flood zones still file flood claims. This happens a lot during El Niño winters when there is rain than usual.
What is the difference between El Niño and La Niña?
El Niño is when the Pacific Ocean water is warm. This usually means winters, in the southern United States. La Niña is when the Pacific Ocean water is cool. This is linked to winters.
Closing Thoughts
There’s no reason to be scared of El Niño, but you should certainly plan for it. Regardless of whether you live in an area that sees increased moisture or drought during El Niño, the preparation actions that matter the most happen ahead of time: cleaning gutters, inspecting the roof, going over your insurance information, and knowing your El Niño weather risk profile before the storms/fire season begins.
Next action: See your region’s current El Niño forecast at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center website.
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