SAN BERNARDINO – (INT) – While some hope the welcome mat for El Nino’s rain will end the drought, others are fearful the phenomenon will overdo it. They are sounding the preparedness alarm.

More deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather hazard.

Assistant San Bernardino County Fire Chief Don Trapp says the main cause of many injuries and deaths is due to people underestimating the force and power of water. More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream.

Before the storms, clean out rain gutters and storm drains, sign up for emergency alerts, check out local fire stations that have sandbags available, and get together in an emergency kit.

A flood preparation brochure is available at www.sbcfire.org.

Story Date: December 2, 2015