Following the massive rains and flooding that tore through San Diego County last spring the county has been hit by one of the longest recorded dry spells in its history and it’s still going today. Prolonged dry spells like this may prevent a fire risk even after the rainy season begins. We here at Clean Earth want to take some time to talk to you about what this will mean for San Diego property owners.
The 10-month dry spell that followed last years rains is nearing its end within the next couple of weeks and though one might think that the rains will be a welcome change the dry period has very specific consequences for Southern California soil.
Fire Risks
Even though late rains will add a great deal of moisture back into San Diego the length of this dry spell has removed a great deal of the soil’s capacity for holding moisture which can heavily affect the area’s susceptibility to fire, according to the National Fire Protection agency. The dry soil also leads to the growth of more flammable dry undergrowth even after the rainy season. This contributed heavily to the wildfires that tore through L.A. and North County just last month.
Flood Risks
Near-record rainfall last winter snapped the historic drought, filling reservoirs and sending many rivers over their banks. Though this type of rainfall may not occur this year the dry spell has loosened the San Diego soil significantly which can cause a combination of landslides and flooding, especially in some of the hillier parts of the county like Mission Valley, La Mesa and Sorrento Valley.
What You Can Do About It
It may be a little late to take significant action in preventing flood and fire damage after a prolonged drought but it may be a good time to talk directly to your insurance to make sure your property is properly covered if you are living in a more at risk area. In some cases it may just be time to find a property that is in lower risk area. And of course in the event your property is damaged by a flood or fire, we are here to help. If you have any questions call us today!
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