Seal Beach makes hazard mitigation a priority
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Residents invited to share concerns in community survey
by Ruth Osborn
Communications Director
Seal Beach Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Steele, who represents half of Leisure World, told the GRF Board of Directors on Jan. 28 that the city is preparing a report on how to strengthen safeguards against a firestorm such as the one that leveled Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7. That fire is 100% contained and has burned more than 23,500 acres as of Feb. 3, according to CalFire.
“We are launching a hazard mitigation study and will report back on what needs to be done in terms of capital and water infrastructure,” among other things, Steele told the GRF Board. The study is expected to be completed in the next two months.
At a Jan. 13 city council meeting, Steele requested that the city issue a report on how resilient Seal Beach is to fire and what could be done to strengthen protections.
The city is asking residents to weigh in on the plan, formally known as the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, as well as its Safety Element and Environmental Justice Element. Together, these documents help the city identify and plan for future natural disasters. These include natural hazard events such as earthquakes, drought, and wildfires, as well as human-caused hazards—such as hazardous materials spills or pandemics.
The questionnaire is designed to help the city gauge the level of knowledge the community has about natural disasters and human-caused hazards, and to obtain input about areas that may be vulnerable. The information residents provide will help the city identify hazards of concern and coordinate projects focused on reducing the risk to community facilities from future hazard events.
To participate in the city survey, visit https:// www. surveymonkey. com/r/SealBeachLHMP.
The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. The results will be included with the updated plan documents.
Seal Beach has two fire stations, one in Old Town and one on North Gate Road just outside Leisure World. The Orange County Fire Authority has the contract to provide fire and paramedic services to the city, which includes Leisure World.
During recent high wind warnings, the city closed Gum Grove Park, and it has since cleared the area of dry undergrowth.
“We are not nearly as vulnerable as the people in Pacific Palisades to this kind of fire,” he told the board. The Palisades’ unique location between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains increases its risk for wildfires. As the air moves down from the mountains, it gets squeezed in the canyons and heats up. On Jan. 7, wind was clocked at up to 50 miles an hour. And there was plenty to feed the fire, as dry chaparral heavily blanketed the mountains.
In contrast, Seal Beach has much less foliage and is at sea level, but the Palisades fire has prompted officials to check the city’s fire readiness all the same.
Scan this QR code with a smart phone camera to access the City of Seal Beach survey.
