Preparing for a Storm
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a change in the surface water temperatures in the tropical Pacific. If the water is warmer than usual, it can trigger an El Niño effect. A “very strong” El Niño means the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean around the equator are more than 2 degrees Celsius warmer than average. Colder than usual water often leads to La Niña.
A significant El Niño event could potentially bring heavy precipitation, mudslides, and severe coastal flooding.
- Limit unnecessary travel during heavy rain.
- Be prepared for possible power outages.
- Secure loose outdoor items.
- Sign up for emergency alerts (text Glendora to 67283).
- Remain weather-aware and cautious on roads.
Have a plan for what you’ll do during an emergency. Start with the basics. Make sure your disaster preparedness kit is stocked with essentials like food, water, flashlights, medications, and important documents.
Visit Glendora's Emergency Preparedness portal to sign up for emergency alerts, discover how to build a "go bag", download your emergency checklist and more.
- Clear out all drains and gutters to prevent water from backing up.
- Check your roof or hire a professional to look for loose tiles, holes, or other issues that could lead to leaks.
- Inspect retaining walls, surface drains, culverts, and ditches for signs of blockage or damage.
- Look for early signs of slope instability like cracks, slumping soil, or leaning retaining walls.
- Bare patches of soil in your yard can turn into mudflows during storms. Fall is a great time to mulch and plant native vegetation to stabilize the ground.
- Check nearby storm drains regularly. If you notice a clog or blockage, contact Glendora Public Works and “Report a Problem”.
Sandbags
If your property is in a flood-prone area, don’t wait until the last minute: Place sandbags before the storm arrives. Use them to direct water away from your home and entry points.
Properly placed sandbags will redirect water, mud, and debris but they will not completely seal out water. Sandbags should be used for low-flow protection (up to two feet). Protection from higher flows requires a more permanent type of structure.
Where Can I Get Sandbags?
Sandbags are available for Glendora residents. Our Public Works team will monitor supplies and restocked as needed.
- SE Corner of Foothill Blvd and Vista Bonita
Parking Lot Across from City Hall
Heavy rains can lead to sudden flooding, especially when water falls faster than the ground can absorb it. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock a person down and it only takes 12 inches to float a car.
- Never try to walk through moving water.
- Never drive into a flooded street or go around a barricade.
- Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Floodwaters can hide serious dangers like sharp debris, damaged roads, downed power lines, or hazardous chemicals. Even large vehicles can be swept away in 18 inches of water. Stay informed, stay indoors, and take storm preparation seriously, even in sunny Southern California.
- Flood Watch - Flooding is possible in your area.
- Flood Warning - Flooding in your area is imminent or already occurring.
- Flash Flood - A sudden, violent flood. Flash Floods often come as a wave, and with little to no warning.
After the Storm
Use the My Glendora app to report potholes, downed street trees, damaged or inoperative streetlights or traffic signals, clogged street drains, and any storm-related property damage or issue requiring inspection or action by Glendora officials.
Report a Problem