As a historic El Niño threatens California, experts say this one step could save you thousands

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - California is officially under a statewide emergency as the state braces for what meteorologists and emergency officials warn could be an unprecedented, historic El Niño storm season.

With threats of heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and catastrophic coastal erosion looming over the fall and winter months, state leaders are urging residents to prepare immediately.

However, emergency and insurance experts say that true storm readiness means protecting both your physical property and your financial safety net before the first raindrops fall.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) declared the statewide emergency this week, a tactical move designed to unlock state resources and give residents the window of opportunity needed to secure their homes.

"It does set up the conditions for strong rainfall events potentially towards the southern half of the state than you see in an average water year," warned Laura Hollender, Deputy Director of Flood Management and Dam Safety.

Recent regional storm systems have already inflicted structural damage across the Valley. Officials emphasize that this upcoming winter season is projected to be far more severe, with some tracking models indicating a potential record-breaker.

"It could become the strongest El Niño on record so the concern is real," said Caroline Thomas Jacobs, Director of the California Office of Emergency Services. "Storms are among the deadliest disasters that we face here in California, and one of the greatest dangers is still people underestimating the power of water."

With the threat accelerating, consumer advocates say individual preparation is a homeowner's primary line of defense.

Amrish Singh, Founder and CEO of California-based, Liberate, states that standard weekend maintenance is the most effective way to preempt thousands of dollars in structural damage.

"The number one thing I would suggest is spend an hour this Saturday or Sunday walking through your home," Singh said. "Ensure that the drains are not clogged, that there are not any holes in the roof, that there aren't any missing shingles, and to cover where there potentially might be damage that might happen."

Physical maintenance is only half the battle. Singh notes that a significant number of Californians face catastrophic losses each year simply because they misinterpret their active coverage guidelines.

To prevent costly surprises after a natural disaster, homeowners must audit their paperwork immediately.

"Look at those policies...typically it's called a declaration page," Singh advised. "Look at the declaration page and check what is covered and what isn't. For example, most standard homeowner policies do not cover flooding."

If an audit reveals a gap in coverage, Singh stresses that residents must be proactive. Waiting until a storm is named or active is often too late, as many insurance providers implement binding restrictions or strict waiting periods before a new policy takes effect.

Some proactive steps every resident can take right now:

• Audit the Declaration Page: Contact your insurance agent immediately to verify your exact coverages. Ask specific questions, such as whether your policy handles localized flooding, earth movement, or mudflows.
• Document Everything Digitally: Grab a smartphone and take exhaustive video and photo records of your home, apartment, car, floors, and valuable assets in their current, functional state. Detailed documentation is the single most critical asset if you ever need to file an insurance claim.
• Clear Key Drainage Zones: Ensure gutters, culverts, and property drains are entirely free of debris to redirect heavy water pooling away from your home's foundation.

While coordinating home inspections and parsing through complex policy fine print may feel time-consuming and tedious, emergency coordinators emphasize that proactive planning remains the most cost-effective approach to surviving a severe winter season.

An hour of prevention this weekend is always cheaper than trying to rebuild later.