A few small projects now can make the weeks ahead easier. In the first two installments of our fall series, we covered getting your home ready for Santa Ana winds and making a practical fall clean-out plan. For this final installment, we're tying those tasks together with a simple checklist for cooler evenings, stronger winds and the rainy season that follows.

Check the route rainwater will take

Walk around the house look for leaves and debris clogging gutters, downspouts, patio drains and drainage channels. The City of Simi Valley advises residents to inspect drains before storm season and after rain, and to report blocked city maintained drains to Public Works at (805) 583-6400. Don't enter a drainage channel or floodwater to clear debris.

Look upward — and at the slopes

Inspect roofs from a safe position for loose shingles tiles, and look for dead tree limbs that might fall in strong winds. Hiring a qualified professional is safer than climbing onto a roof or pruning large trees yourself. For properties near slopes or retaining walls, check for erosion, cracks and blocked outlets before the next heavy rain.

Keep wildfire preparations in the fall routine

Santa Ana winds can bring dry air and elevated fire danger even while temperatures begin to cool. Keep dead leaves and flammable stored items away from the house, maintain defensible space appropriate to your property, and keep emergency alerts current. Ventura County Fire Department's guidance emphasizes removing combustible debris and reducing the places wind blown embers can ignite.

Set aside a small household emergency kit

Check flashlights, batteries, a portable phone charger, water, necessary medications and pet supplies. Save important documents where you can reach them if you need to leave quickly. If your household relies on electrically powered medical equipment, plan ahead for outages and discuss backup options with your provider or utility.

Give yourself 30 minutes, not a whole weekend

Spend ten minutes checking drains and gutters from the ground, ten minutes clearing loose outdoor items, and ten minutes checking emergency supplies.

Make a separate list for anything that needs a contractor, special disposal or more time. If you missed October's Free Landfill Day, don't assume it is still available; check current disposal schedules before loading the car.

The three part Fall in Simi Valley series

Part 1: Get Ready for Cooler Weather and Santa Ana Winds: https://thesimisignal.com/a/brace-yourself-is-your-home-ready-for-falls-chill-and-fierce-santa-ana-winds

Part 2: Fall Clean-Out — What to Toss, Donate or Recycle: https://thesimisignal.com/a/simi-valley-fall-clean-out-free-landfill-day-2026

Part 3: Final Fall Home & Yard Checklist (this article)

Useful local sources: City of Simi Valley storm preparedness — https://www.simivalley.org/departments/police-department/emergency-services/storm-preparedness-information

Ventura County Fire Department defensible space guidance — https://fire.venturacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/418-Defensible_Space.pdf