Image Up Advertising & Design

FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2016 15 The Jan. 13 town hall meeting sponsored by the Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC), generated a lot of interest among the residents with an estimated 300 persons in attendance. City of Beaumont Mayor Mike Lara, in his first public appearance since taking office, made introductory remarks and outlined what the City of Beaumont staff was doing to minimize the adverse effects to our community from the anticipated El Niño rainstorms. Mayor Lara mentioned that the city has standing contracts with heavy equipment contractors who can be quickly mobilized to augment city crews to address mud flows or flooding on roads and at intersections. Lecia Elzig, government liaison for the Red Cross, informed the residents of the causes of El Niño, and showed photos of roads that were heavily flooded with mud in recent rainstorms. She also briefed the free services available from the Red Cross and what to expect if you are evacuated to a Red Cross shelter. Fred Weck, one of the EPC co-chairs, briefed what we, as homeowners, could do to protect our yard and dwelling from excess water and outlined several key things homeowners could do to minimize water damage to our homes and personal property. Corporal Josh Galbraith, Beaumont Police Department, gave a presentation showing what streets in Beaumont are typically prone to flooding and how to avoid them. He also explained key evacuation routes and how to get sandbags from the city. Firefighters Tim Chavez, battalion chief from Beaumont, and Shane Reichardt, from Riverside County's Emergency Management Division, explained their cooperative role with municipalities in clearing waterways during severe rainstorms. Among many other things, they also explained why it is never safe for pedestrians to walk through standing water or for motorists to drive through what appears as shallow flooded roads. Following refreshments and an intermission in the program, the speakers answered questions from the audience. Then, a free raffle was held and two residents each won free delivery of 10 filled sandbags. One resident won 29 servings of emergency food, another resident won three small sensors to detect water on the floor, and one resident won a 55-gallon drum, purpose-made for storing emergency water for up to five years. The EPC received many laudatory comments from residents about the usefulness of the presentations and the comprehensive scope of information provided. ~ Fred Weck, EPC co-chair El Niño Town Hall Meeting Generated Lots of Interest It was a full house in the Ballroom for the El Niño Town Hall

• Cover