County urges El Niño storm prep as crews inspect drains

San Bernardino County is urging residents to sign up for emergency alerts and prepare for potential El Niño storms.

The county's Office of Emergency Services (OES) is encouraging residents to enroll in the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) and download the Ready SB County app for alerts and preparedness information, according to a county announcement published Nov. 5.

Crews inspecting drainage and flood channels

San Bernardino County Public Works crews are inspecting and maintaining drainage systems, flood control channels and roadways, according to the announcement. Mountain communities and burn scar areas are getting special attention. Crews are also staging equipment throughout the county to respond quickly when storms cause flooding, rockfall or debris flows.

OES is coordinating with the National Weather Service (NWS), cities and regional partners to monitor conditions and share critical information, the county said.

El Niño can bring heavy rain, flooding, flash flooding, debris flows, strong winds, power outages, road closures and winter weather in mountain communities, according to the county's El Niño and Storm Preparedness webpage.

Early evacuation planning is especially important for residents who need additional time to leave safely, including people with disabilities and those with pets or large animals, the county said. Leaving when an evacuation warning is issued, rather than waiting for an evacuation order, can help residents reach safety before conditions worsen.

Free sandbags available in Rialto

Rialto's Public Works Department stocks sand and ready-to-fill sandbags for residents and business owners preparing for rainstorms and flooding, according to the city's sandbag information page. The supplies are free when a rain event has been forecasted and available at three locations: