Ready for Rain

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Floods can be serious catastrophes and can be caused by a variety of factors, including a sudden accumulation of rain, rising rivers, tidal surges, ice jams and dam failures. In Ventura, heavy rain affects our streets (think Harbor Boulevard) and can cause an extreme hazard to the safety of your home.

Before heavy rain or flooding

Be prepared to respond to flooding by taking the following actions before the rains and flooding begin:

  • Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming changes.
  • Use sandbags to protect areas around your property from flooding. Sand and sandbags are available for Ventura residents at the City's Maintenance Yard, located at 336 Sanjon Road.
    • Supplies are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. Supplies are in the parking lot for easy pickup, open from dawn to dusk.
  • Clear debris and overgrowth from gutters and storm drains to ensure water can effectively leave your property.
  • Register for VC Alert.
  • Discuss the possibility of local flooding with your family. Have a plan for wherever you spend time- home, work, school- and prepare for possible power outages.
  • Check the contents of your emergency go-kit. Don't have one? Learn how to build one.
  • Identify safe routes from your home or work place to high ground. Determine whether you can use these routes during flooding or storms.
  • Notify our Public Works Department about debris and overgrowth in public drainage facilities. Please call 805-654-7702. For emergencies, or after hours, please call 805-339-4399.
+83
°
F
+85°
+65°
Ventura
Tuesday, 15
Wednesday
+78° +67°
Thursday
+74° +66°
Friday
+73° +66°
Saturday
+72° +67°
Sunday
+72° +66°
Monday
+68° +63°
See 7-Day Forecast
VC Alert

During heavy rain or flooding

If a flood, or heavy rain, is likely to occur, you should:

  • Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
  • If you must prepare to evacuate, you should:
    • Review Evacuation Terminology and understand that if ordered to evacuate, you must do so immediately for your safety.
    • Review City of Ventura Evacuation Maps.
    • Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
    • Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
  • If you have to leave your home:
    • Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall.
    • Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. Just six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles.