Paramount Preparing for El Nino
Posted by Bud Jackson
on Mar 06, 2016
Adriana Lopez, City of Paramount Public Safety Director, came to our Rotary Club to tell us how the City has prepared for the deluge of rain and wind. Adriana was born, raised, lives and works in Paramount. When I got to the meeting, Adriana was already there and after saying hello she asked me if Mr. Mahan was still here? Took me back for a moment, I had never heard of Duane being so addressed. I said yes, but I had never had anyone refer to him as Mr. Mahan before. She explained that she grew up with Duane and Donna’s daughter, Melanie, and they are still close friends. See the picture of Duane and Adriana below.
El Nino has yet to arrive in Southern California, but many experts are still predicting it will produce the tropical weather pattern that will bring heavy rain and wind.
Paramount is basically flat land. Therefore, considerable attention is given to cleaning the gutters to ensure good water runoff. Public works is well organized with modern equipment that includes an Emergency Response trailer that among other things includes cots and bedding, there is also a Mobile Command Vehicle. At the maintenance yard, citizens can get 10 sand bags that are ready for use at no charge.
There are two emergency centers, one is at the Sheriff’s Station and the other at the Maintenance Yard. There is backup power for the city offices and public safety people have supplies to stay at work for three days. Many methods of communications are in play including Ham radios. (When Katrina struck New Orleans the only communication method that was working were Ham radios.) Largely due to what was learned during the Katrina disaster, the responsibility for public safety falls first on the city, then the county, next the state and finally the federal government. A shelter has been established at Paramount Park where city staff will open and later turn over operations to the Red Cross.
Mr. Mahan (L) with Adriana (R)
Learn more about the City at www.paramountcity.com
More News from the Home front . . .
April and John Berg have returned from a family celebration of their four year grandson in Louisiana. The food was so good that the vegan April fell off the wagon and enjoyed the great seafood.
Grandpa John Boogaard was proud to report that his Granddaughter, Shelby, was inducted into Lakewood High School's hall of fame. Currently a junior, she has even more to contribute.
Grandpa Jay Wilbur shared how impressed he was with his seven and nine year old granddaughters and their fellow students athletic prowess.
Duane Mahan and Bud are flying north to Fairbanks Alaska to celebrate their 76th birthdays on Sunday March 6th in hopes of seeing the northern lights.