Last month, we walked through how emergency readiness works at Westmont of La Mesa, the systems, staff protocols, and family communication habits already in place. With California’s governor declaring a state of emergency ahead of a potentially historic El Niño winter, that groundwork is worth revisiting with this specific season in mind.
What’s Different About This Winter
El Niño winters tend to bring heavier, more frequent rain to Southern California than an average year, and this one is forecast to be unusually strong. That doesn’t change what our Community already has in place, but it does mean storm-related questions are worth asking sooner rather than waiting until the first big rain arrives.
La Mesa’s Local Terrain
La Mesa’s foothill neighborhoods mean rainfall here behaves a little differently than it does along the immediate coast: runoff, drainage, and the occasional slower-moving street flooding are the more common local concerns rather than large-scale coastal impacts. Knowing that helps set realistic expectations rather than general worry.
What We’re Already Doing
Our team is reviewing storm protocols now, ahead of the season, not waiting for the first named storm to show up. That includes checking emergency lighting, confirming communication trees are current, and making sure every Resident’s emergency contact information is accurate and reachable. Families are always welcome to ask directly about what that looks like this year.
A Conversation Worth Having Now
A family who typically visits every other weekend might wonder what happens if a storm makes that Saturday drive inadvisable. We’d encourage having that conversation now, while it’s hypothetical, rather than during an actual storm week. Knowing in advance how the Community communicates schedule changes takes the guesswork out of a stressful moment.
Staying Prepared, Not Worried
A historic forecast is a reason for preparation, not alarm. We’d point families toward the Governor’s official proclamation and NOAA’s ongoing ENSO advisories for the most current, official information as the season develops.
At Westmont of La Mesa, our approach to this winter is the same as our approach to every emergency: clear communication and a plan that’s already in motion before it’s needed. To learn more, visit Westmont of La Mesa or call (619) 369-9700.
