IV prepares for severe weather

Imperial Valley officials warn the community to prepare for possible incoming severe weather, part of hurricane-turned-tropical storm Rosa being tracked off the Pacific Coast and possibly hitting the area Monday night or Tuesday.

El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas-Walker recommends, “That you have your emergency kit ready with food, water, medication, make preparations for your pets; have a family evacuation and communication plan.”

She said residents should prepare their homes as much as possible.

“Make sure your gutters are cleaned out so that the water has a place to run off your roof so that you don’t suffer physical damage and you can remain in your home,” Viegas-Walker said.

Brawley City Council Member Sam Couchman said local emergency response agencies, such as police and fire departments are ready to assist if needed.

“And public works is on standby because usually what happens in this is we get water and we get wind. Trees go down, block roadways, that type of thing, so we need public works out there in order to do that,” Couchman said.

He said no classes have been canceled as of yet. He stressed that, as far as he knows, city officials countywide are working to keep the community informed.

“We also have the ability to text people about emergency type situations and where they should and what they should do,” Couchman said.

No roads have been closed due to the incoming storm.