Could you help your neighbors in need?


MERRAG!  (pronounced Mirage) is a network of trained volunteers who work and live in the Montecito area. Members are prepared to respond to a community disaster during the critical first 72 hours following an event. Since 1987, the mutual “self-help” organization has been serving Montecito’s 13,000 residents with the guidance and support of the Montecito Fire, Water and Sanitary Districts.

Find out more about MERRAG and how you can help yourself help MERRAG.

Preparing for Floods

Anywhere it rains, it can flood. A flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow. Many conditions can result in a flood: hurricanes, broken levees, outdated or clogged drainage systems and rapid accumulation of rainfall.

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. Flood risk isn’t just based on history, it’s also based on a number of factors: rainfall, river-flow and tidal-surge data, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to building and development.

30 percent of flood claims come from areas with minimal flood risk. It is imporatant to know that damages from flooding are typically not covered under most homeowner insurance policies. Statistics indicate that your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, compared to a 9% chance of fire. For more policy and claim statistics, visit the National Flood Insurance Program.

Weather termonolgy relating to flooding:

Advisory
(Abbrev. ADVY)- Highlights special weather conditions that are less serious than a warning. They are for events that may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Watch
A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.

Warning
A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.

Click here for more information on Weather termonology.

Click here for Tea Fire Burn Area Flood Plain map.

Please click on the links below for information on how you can prepare yourself and your family for flooding:

Flooding, Are you Ready?

Preparing for Floods: Before, During and After

Homeowner's Guide to Flood Prevention and Response

Preventing Soil Erosion on your Property