CITY GETTING PREPARED FOR WET WINTER; ADVANCED PLANNING MAY SAVE HILLSIDES FROM STORMY EL NINO.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez / Daily News Staff Writer

It was the advanced planning, the filling of sandbags in the fall and the anticipation that a fire-ravaged hillside could bring lots of water down Iron Canyon that saved Councilwoman Jan Heidt's home from flood damage during the storms of 1982.

If planning worked then, when no one talked about El Nino and there were no predictions of record rain, Heidt is convinced it can work again this winter, which climatologists say could bring the worst storms in 150 years.

``Every house was saved then, and we got 48 inches of rain that winter,'' Heidt said. ``So I know what happens. There hasn't been a fire, but there's been a lot of building since '82. We need to keep drains cleaned out and we need to work with the county.''

The city already has begun to prepare for a big storm, said Terri Maus, director of field services. Crews have been out in the field every day, cleaning out storm drains and making sure rivers, culverts and creeks can carry water easily.

``At this point, we have all the areas that are the city's responsibility ready to go. We're working with the county to make sure the other areas of the city are taken care of,'' Maus said. ``We're also making sure we have the resources in terms of equipment. We're doing a lot of pre-planning in anticipation of a wet winter.''

The predictions of El Nino, a weather phenomenon that warms waters off South America and causes global climate abnormalities, have heightened concerns around the state about flooding. The storms could last into next spring, and are expected to equal or exceed the rains of 1982-83.

Adele Macpherson, organizer of the city's disaster preparation, said the city is doing its usual pre-winter maintenance just as it has every year.

``We will be doing the usual procedure. We'll do some mapping to see how the community has grown, but, otherwise, we'll give people the normal water safety tips,'' Macpherson said. ``Don't drive through flooded areas. And you need to have supplies at home.''

The only difference in this year's preparation is a planned, extended community campaign to give residents tips for handling the predicted storms, Macpherson said.

``We'll tell people to be prepared like any disaster and have supplies where they should be to protect their families,'' Macpherson said.

Heidt said having supplies at home is important for any kind of emergency. Flooding could leave some people stranded in their homes, and they should have some water and food on hand in case that happens, she said.

The fall also would be a good time to repair leaky roofs, Heidt said. The city won't need roof repairs since a lot of work was done to city facilities following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, she said.

Advanced planning can make the difference, Heidt said. Before the 1982 storms, Heidt said, she and her neighbors filled enough sandbags to protect their homes and the surrounding area from flooding.

``There had been a fire near Iron Canyon that burned the whole end, and we thought there would be trouble. We came together to deliver sandbags to every house,'' Heidt said. ``The following Tuesday, we had a downpour . . . All it takes is 15 minutes. If it comes that fast, the ground can't soak it up.''