Before the Storms: Winter Weather Preparation for California Homes, Farms & Agribusinesses

California’s winter weather can be unpredictable. A few relatively quiet weeks can quickly give way to days of heavy rain, strong winds, localized flooding, power outages and saturated ground.

For homeowners, that can mean roof leaks, fallen trees and water where it doesn’t belong. For farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses, the stakes can be even higher: flooded fields, inaccessible roads, damaged equipment, livestock concerns, downed power, compromised buildings and interruptions during critical operations.

With El Niño and the possibility of significant winter weather once again part of the conversation, early fall is a good time to prepare — while the ground is dry and before everyone is scrambling ahead of the first major storm.

Here are some practical steps California homeowners and agricultural businesses can take now.

1. Start at the Top: Inspect Roofs, Barns and Agricultural Buildings

A small leak today can become a major problem during several consecutive days of rain.

Homeowners should inspect roofing, flashing, vents, skylights and other potential entry points for water. On farms and ranches, don’t stop at the residence. Check barns, shops, equipment buildings, storage facilities, offices and other structures as well.

Look for loose roofing materials, damaged panels, deteriorated seals and areas that have leaked during previous storms.

Pay particular attention to buildings protecting expensive machinery, feed, supplies or other property that could suffer significant damage from water intrusion.

2. Clean Gutters, Drains, Ditches and Culverts

Good drainage is important around any home. On agricultural property, it can be critical.

Clear leaves, dirt and debris from gutters and downspouts around homes and buildings. Make sure downspouts move water away from foundations rather than allowing it to collect alongside structures.

For farms and larger properties, inspect drainage ditches, culverts, field drains and other channels that move stormwater through or away from the property.

A partially blocked culvert may not seem important on a dry September afternoon. After hours of heavy rain, it can become a very different story.

3. Think About Where the Water Will Go

Walk your property before the rain arrives and ask a simple question: If we get several inches of rain, where is that water going to go?

Look for low spots, previous areas of standing water, erosion, blocked drainage paths and places where runoff could reach buildings.

On agricultural properties, consider access roads as well. A home, barn or operation that isn’t flooded can still have a serious problem if employees, feed trucks, veterinarians, suppliers or emergency vehicles can’t reach it.

If there were trouble spots during previous wet winters, now is the time to address them.

4. Inspect Trees Before Saturated Soil and Wind Arrive

Winter storms don’t only bring rain. Saturated ground combined with strong winds can topple trees and bring down large branches.

Inspect trees around homes, barns, shops, vehicles, equipment storage areas, livestock areas, fences and utility lines.

Dead limbs, damaged trees and trees that are already leaning deserve particular attention. When appropriate, have questionable trees evaluated by a qualified professional.

5. Get Pumps and Generators Ready Now

If your home or agricultural operation depends on a sump pump, drainage pump, well pump or generator, don’t wait for a storm to discover that it doesn’t work.

Test equipment now. Check fuel, batteries, hoses, connections and maintenance items, and make sure the people who may need the equipment know how to operate it safely.

For agricultural businesses, think through what happens if commercial power is unavailable for several hours — or several days.

Which operations stop? What happens to irrigation or drainage pumps? Refrigeration? Ventilation? Lighting? Water systems? Livestock operations?

A generator that hasn’t been started in two years shouldn’t be considered an emergency plan until it has actually been tested.

6. Protect Farm Machinery and Mobile Equipment

Tractors, implements, forklifts, utility vehicles and other agricultural equipment represent a substantial investment.

Whenever practical, move valuable equipment away from low-lying areas that have flooded in the past and store machinery under appropriate cover.

Consider access, too. Equipment parked safely on Friday isn’t very useful on Monday if the road leading to it has become impassable.

Fall is also a good time to inspect tires, batteries, lights and other basic items on vehicles and equipment that may be needed during poor weather.

7. Have a Plan for Livestock

For farms and ranches with animals, winter storm preparation should include more than buildings and machinery.

Consider whether livestock areas have adequate drainage, whether animals can be relocated if an area floods and whether feed and clean water will remain accessible during prolonged bad weather.

Also think about transportation. If roads become flooded or muddy, could you still reach the animals? Could a veterinarian reach them?

Those are much easier questions to solve before the storm.

8. Secure Materials That Wind or Water Can Move

Strong winds and moving water can turn ordinary items into hazards.

Secure outdoor furniture and loose items around homes. On farms and commercial properties, inspect portable equipment, empty containers, building materials, temporary structures and other objects that could move during a storm.

Also consider materials stored directly on the ground. Pallets, supplies, feed and other valuable property may benefit from being moved or elevated if water has entered the area previously.

9. Prepare for Employees and Business Interruptions

Agribusiness owners have another consideration homeowners generally don’t: employees.

Decide ahead of time who is responsible for storm preparation, who has authority to shut down operations and how employees will be contacted if roads or facilities become unsafe.

Make sure emergency contact information is current and that employees understand they should never risk driving through flooded roadways simply to reach work.

It is also worth thinking through how the operation would function if a key building, piece of equipment, utility service or access road became unavailable.

10. Photograph Your Property Before Winter

This may be the easiest item on the entire list.

Take your phone and walk around the property.

For homeowners, photograph rooms, furniture, appliances, electronics, improvements and the exterior of the home.

For farms and agribusinesses, photograph buildings, machinery, vehicles, tools, equipment, inventory and other significant property. Record serial numbers or identifying information for particularly valuable equipment when practical.

A short video walking through a shop or equipment building can capture a surprising amount of information in just a few minutes.

Keep copies somewhere safe and preferably backed up online rather than stored only on a phone or computer located at the property.

11. Review Your Insurance Before You Need It

Winter storm preparation isn’t complete without looking at your insurance.

Homeowners should review dwelling limits, personal property coverage, deductibles and important exclusions.

Farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners may have considerably more to review, including buildings, farm machinery and equipment, commercial vehicles, inventory, liability exposures and potential loss of income following a covered event.

If you have purchased equipment, added a building, expanded an operation or made significant improvements since your last insurance review, make sure those changes are reflected in your current coverage.

And there is one issue that deserves special attention before a wet winter: flooding.

Damage caused by rising surface water or flooding is generally treated differently from damage caused by wind or rain entering through storm damage, and standard homeowners and commercial property policies commonly exclude flood damage.

Don’t wait until a major storm is approaching to find out what your policy does — and doesn’t — cover.

Preparation Is Part of Managing Risk

No one knows exactly what California’s winter will bring to a particular home, farm or community.

That’s really the point of preparing.

You don’t have to know whether the next storm will bring one inch of rain or six to know that clearing a drain, repairing a roof, testing a generator and moving expensive equipment out of a known flood-prone area are worthwhile precautions.

At Scurich Insurance Services, we work with homeowners, farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses throughout California to help protect the property and operations they’ve worked hard to build.

Before winter weather arrives, it’s a good time to review both your property and your insurance program. A little preparation now can make a very big difference when the rain starts falling.

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Coming next week: Part 2 — The Storm Is Here: Protecting Your Home, Farm & Business During Heavy Rain, Flooding and Power Outages.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Insurance coverage varies by policy, carrier, circumstances and applicable terms, conditions and exclusions. Contact Scurich Insurance Services to discuss your specific insurance needs and coverage.