STORM PLANS TAKE HUMAN FOCUS.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

City employees are inspecting bridges, trimming trees and drafting emergency plans in preparation for El Nino rainstorms expected to hit California this winter - now city officials want to make sure residents are prepared.

In the coming weeks, the city will be providing residents with tips, recommendations and warnings on everything from clearing drains on private property to keeping children safe during a storm.

Each department representative shared different concerns during an information session Tuesday morning. For building official Ruben Barrera, it was structure damage.

``Our concern is the damage that can occur on private property, with hill slides and mudslides,'' Barrera said. ``We're notifying homeowners who we think may have problems, especially in Placerita and Sand canyons. Anyone who lives on a site with a slope should make sure they have adequate drainage.''

Those who have been warned about building code violations can expect the city to take action, Barrera added.

Meanwhile, Community Services Superintendent Adele Macpherson is making sure every aspect of Santa Clarita's emergency response plan is ready.

While that includes testing the emergency operation system and connection with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, it also means providing seniors, parents and children with information about flood situations, Macpherson said.

The community outreach helps calm seniors, who have become distressed about the coming storm, and remind them of the basics of dealing with an emergency, Macpherson said.

Warnings also help keep young children out of trouble and danger, Macpherson said.

``Every storm, we have to pull a kid out of Placerita Canyon or Sand Canyon,'' Macpherson said. ``Kids like to go out there when it rains and splash around.''

Gail Ortiz, public information officer for the city, said Santa Clarita will send an information letter to area schools giving parents tips on keeping children safe. The letter will be circulated to parents in school bulletins, she said.

The latest precautions are just the finishing touches on an emergency plan the city has been working on since March, before forecasters began predicting El Nino storms, Macpherson said.

The city held an emergency exercise in March and participated in a countywide flood exercise in April, Macpherson said.

In addition, Santa Clarita already has cleaned out all 600 storm drains within its boundaries, and fixed curbs and gutters in preparation for winter, said Terri Maus, director of field services.

City staffers will get their final test during Operation Noah's Arc, when administrators perform a tabletop practice emergency run.

Residents will also have an opportunity to test their preparedness. The city will provide free instruction at 10 a.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall on how to fill sandbags. Supplies will also be provided. Dennis Welch, street supervisor, recommended that residents fill the bags before the rainstorms come so they're ready to be stacked if flooding or sliding begins.

The city will also host an insurance training session at the end of the month to give concerned residents information on National Flood Insurance, Macpherson said.

Those who want more information may call the Santa Clarita El Nino Information Line at [phone]. A recorded message answers commonly asked questions, Ortiz said. Messages left on the line will be returned by a staff member, she said.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO (color) Bernie Bugarin demonstrates shoveling sand into sandbags during an El Nino news conference Tuesday at City Hall in Valencia.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News