Disaster preparation, courtesy of Kern

Kern County representatives who spoke at the El Nino preparedness meeting Jan. 9 at the veterans Memorial Hall in Tehachapi offered valuable advice that can – and will – save lives. It's easy to say "Get prepared," but harder to actually sit down and plan it. Red Cross volunteers at the meeting helped attendees jump-start the process by giving out information and Go-Bags filled with life-saving items such as light sticks, emergency blankets, face masks, water and emergency ponchos.

Here is some of the best advice and information from the meeting:

Kevin Lynott, National Weather Service (NOAA) – There will be a half-dozen or more storms coming in January, February and "maybe March." Take a flood watch seriously. The mud flows that happened on Hwy. 58 in October can happen elsewhere. If you see a flood warning or barricades – "Turn around, don't drown." The road could be unstable underneath.

Mark Evans, P.E., Engineering Manager, Maintenance, County Roads Department – If you have a choice, take a state route out (202 instead of Banducci). Plan your trips. Allow more time to drive. Have a full tank of gas, emergency kit in each vehicle, pack two meals. "Plan on it being an inconvenient day." If the "road closed" sign is up, don't go past.

County Fire chief Brian Marshall – Have a plan. Be prepared to stay in your house for a week. Do you have food, water, pet food, medicines for a week? Get flood insurance; regular insurance will not cover flood damage. Sign up for ReadyKern emergency notification system. Listen to the entire message and press 1 to acknowledge you heard it. Beware flash flood water, 'It will take you down. It will drown you." Sand provided by the county at specific spots goes quickly every day, so plan ahead for sandbagging.

Sheriff Lt. Tom Little – Evacuations – we can't make you leave. "If we tell you we recommend, it equals mandatory." Remaining can put responders in jeopardy. If you rive across a flooded road, the road may not be there. It may be gone. Don't try to drive around it.

Cathy Hart, Regional Public Relations, Southern California Edison – If you use your generator, do not plug into the wire system, run things directly off the generator. The Edison workers will be in jeopardy if they don't know a wire is live.

Esperanza Contreras – Program Manager, 211 Kern County – The 211 system provides vital emergency information and translation services.

Ed Hill – Public Health – Create Go-Bags for all the family and for pets. Don't play flowing water that looks clean – it's dirty. Use one cup of bleach to one gallon of water to kill bugs. Have heavy shoes. Throw away any compromised food.

Nick Cullen, Director, Kern County Animal Services – Red Cross has animal care at emergency shelters. Have a Go-Bag for pets with food, medicines, vet records, toys.

Jon Curry, Tehachapi Utility Manager – Don't tailgate or pass the snow plows --they throw material at you. The school district will give the city advance warning before snow day dismissal so the city can plow.