Flood Preparation Plan
The upcoming winter is forecasted to bring a strong El Niño pattern to California. For childcare centers and family childcare homes, that means it’s time to get a game plan together. Heavy rain, flash floods, strong winds, and power outages are all on the table, and they can mess with your daily routine fast.
Taking care of a few property fixes, licensing updates, emergency supplies and considering flood insurance right now will keep the kids safe and your doors open when the storms hit.
Battening Down the Hatches (Facility Prep)
Your first move is making sure your building can handle a lot of water and wind:
- Clear out the drains and gutters
- Look for leaks
- Lock down outdoor gear
- Trim the trees
- Sandbag stock up
When it’s storming:
- Never drive through floodwater
- Stay out of rough water
- Watch the forecast
Checking the Boxes (Paperwork and Planning)
California Community Care Licensing requires a solid disaster plan. Now is the perfect time to dust yours off and make sure it’s ready for severe weather.
- Update your disaster forms: Centers need to review Form LIC 610, and family childcare homes use Form LIC 610A. Keep these updated and easy to grab.
- Map out your escape routes: Figure out a couple of different evacuation routes. Make sure they skip local areas that always flood or are prone to mudslides
- Double-check contact info: Make sure your emergency binders have the right phone numbers, allergy info, and pickup authorizations for every child. Keep digital copies backed up too.
- Practice storm drills: Run simple drills with the kids and staff so everyone knows what to do if the lights go out or if you need to shelter in place.
Stocking Up (Supplies and Backup Plans)
Blackouts and delayed deliveries are common during big El Niño storms. You’ll want to be totally self-sufficient for a few days if needed.
- Stash the basics: Pack enough non-perishable food and bottled water to last everyone at least 72 hours (aim for one gallon of water per person, per day).
- Load up on kid essentials: Keep extra diapers, wipes, formula, blankets, and any necessary medications on hand.
- Prep for power outages: Keep bright flashlights and fresh batteries in every room. Get a few portable power banks to keep your phone charged, and a battery-powered radio to track weather updates if the cell towers go down.
- Get local alerts: Sign up your phone with your county’s emergency alert system, like AlertSanDiego, for instant text updates during storms.
Getting ahead of the weather is the best way to handle a rough winter. For more templates and tips, check out the California Childcare Health Program Disaster Preparedness Page.
Be Ready for the Unexpected
Flood Insurance for Childcare Providers
- Offer gloves for children who are uncomfortable touching soil.
- Provide dry soil options before adding water for gradual sensory exposure.
- Create a clean-up station nearby to reduce anxiety about mess.
- Introduce materials slowly and allow observation before participation.
Why Flood Insurance Matters
A single flood can damage your building, equipment, inventory, and even force you to close your doors temporarily. What’s surprising is that more than 25% of flood insurance claims come from properties outside of high-risk flood zones. In other words, you don’t have to be right next to a creek or the beach to experience flood damage.
Your Flood Insurance Options
Small business owners generally have two choices when it comes to flood coverage.
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federally backed program managed by FEMA that offers flood insurance for business properties and contents. It’s often a good starting point for businesses looking for basic flood protection.
Private Flood Insurance may offer additional benefits, such as higher coverage limits, protection for business income losses, and coverage that goes beyond what the NFIP provides. For businesses with expensive equipment or large inventories, this can be a valuable option.
The Bottom Line
Flooding isn’t just a problem for waterfront properties. Most flood insurance policies require a 30-day waiting period. Now is the time to do the research, not once the rain begins.
Action Steps:
- Check out low lying areas and flood zones
- Review disaster and relocation plans
- Centers use Form LIC 610
- Family childcare homes use Form LIC 610A
- Prepare your facility for storms
- Where to get sandbags for free
- Consider flood insurance
- Connect with CRS with any temporary placements for families
About YMCA Childcare Resource Service
For over 40 years, YMCA Childcare Resource Service has been a trusted agency in San Diego County, connecting families to accessible, quality child care programs. As the only state-funded child care resource and referral agency and one of two child care subsidy distributing agencies in the county, we are deeply committed to ensuring that all families have access to child care that meets their unique needs.
Through our extensive network and comprehensive database, we match thousands of families with licensed child care providers and administer millions of dollars in child care subsidies each year. By facilitating these important connections between families and child care, we can ensure children are learning and parents can continue earning.
To learn more about YMCA Childcare Resource Service and how we can support your child care needs, please visit our website at ymcasd.org/crs.