County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works

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General Rules - Homeowners's Guide for Flood, Debris and Erosion Control
HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE
FOR FLOOD, DEBRIS,
AND EROSION CONTROL

INTRODUCTION

I. THE PROBLEMS
 º Flood Waters
 º Debris Flows
 º Erosion

II. EMERGENCY HOME
    PROTECTION
 º General Rules
 º Flood Insurance
 º Debris Control Aids
 º Sandbags
 º Control Of Water Intrusion
 º Deflections Devices and
   Building Protection
 º Engineered Concrete
   Block Walls

III. OTHER PROPERTY
     PROTECTION MEASURES
 º General Property Guidelines
 º Property Drainage Hints
   to Homeowners
 º Slope (Bench) Drains
 º Natural Watercourse Erosion
 º Planting Guidelines
 º Ground Covers
 º Shrubs and Trees
 º Grasses

IV. SUMMARY
V. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Figures º Free Booklet
GUIDE HOME

La Guia En Español

II. EMERGENCY HOME PROTECTION
GENERAL RULES
The previous section described various problems you may encounter during the rainy season. Below are some general rules to be followed in most cases involving flood waters, debris and erosion.
NEVERunderestimate the power of debris flows.
TRYto direct debris flows away from improvements.
AVOIDtrying to control or confine the flows more than is absolutely required.
CLEARa path for the debris.
USEyour house or building as a deflector if necessary.
ALWAYSplace protection to deflect debris, not to dam or stop it.
DEBRISwill often enter a building through windows - board them up.
REMEMBERto protect your most valuable property first - your home.
THENconsider what time and money are available to protect other less valuable objects such as swimming pools or landscaping.
TRYto install more permanent measures (see Figs. 18 and 19) to protect your home. In general, the problem of debris flows will exist for several years after a burn. Sandbags usually last for only a year.
ALWAYSwork with adjacent affected property owners.
BEprepared to sacrifice the use of portions of your property to achieve the greatest amount of protection.
AVOIDaltering drainage patterns that could worsen conditions for your neighbor.
  

Fig. 18 TELEPHONE POLE OR RAILROAD TIE BARRIER
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Fig. 19 REMOVABLE DRIVEWAY BARRIER
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