In past weeks’ news, wildfires and the threat of fire damage have dominated the headlines. Now,  with the incoming El Niño weather fronts, concerns over flooding have overtaken the headlines. Only hours after a wildfire along Cajon Pass was contained, the same region experienced record-breaking rainfalls that washed out an interstate in the area.

“It’s a sweet promising start,” said Bill Patzert, climatologist for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, about the rainfall but then added: “Except for all the damage it does…. Be careful for what you wish for. Great droughts usually end in great floods.”

Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit had another take on the recent flooding.

“This is the worst damage I’ve ever seen from rain,” he said as he looked over the twisted metal rebar from the collapsed bridge. “You build for the 100-year event. But sometimes nature tells you, ‘Hey, we are still in charge.’ ”

Damage Done

Whether fire or flood damage is your primary concern, it’s important to maintain contact with your insurance company to learn the proper reporting procedures. You never know when you’ll need to call upon the aid of a restoration services provider.