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As San Mateo County braces for an atmospheric river set to hit the Bay Area, local officials are urging residents to prepare for potential flooding and hazardous conditions. The county and city governments are providing sandbags and other storm resources to residents to prepare for the possibility of flooding and power outages.
Forecasters predict a new storm system will move into the region Wednesday night, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected through Friday morning. From 10 p.m. Wednesday until 10 p.m. Saturday, a Flood Watch will be in effect in Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties.
A High Wind Watch will also be raised in the Bay Area and Central Coast from Wednesday evening until Friday morning, as forecasters expect powerful winds that could down trees, snap power lines, move loose debris and result in property damage and trigger power outages.
“Two feet of water can sweep a car, truck, or SUV off the road,” said Ryan Reynolds of the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management in a news release. “We can’t stress enough: Never drive into flooded areas.”
The county also cautions residents to prepare for power outages by stocking flashlights with fresh batteries, charging mobile devices in advance, and considering backup power solutions such as generators.
Where to find sandbags:
Here is where you can find sandbags and sandbag-filling stations in this news organization’s coverage area. For a complete list of sandbag stations in San Mateo County, visit smcgov.org/publicworks/sandbags.
For tips on proper sandbag placement and post-flood sandbag disposal, see the information provided by the city of Menlo Park.
Unincorporated San Mateo County:
- Pescadero High School, 350 Butano Cut-Off: Bulk sand and empty sandbags available.
- Pescadero Corporation Yard, 1000 Pescadero Creek Rd: Pre-made sandbags (limited availability).
- La Honda Corporation Yard, 59 Entrada Way: Bulk sand, empty sandbags, and pre-made sandbags (limited availability).
- Princeton Corporation Yard, 203 Cornell Ave: Bulk sand, empty sandbags, and pre-made sandbags (limited availability).
- Grant Corporation Yard, 752 Chestnut St, Redwood City: Bulk sand, empty sandbags, and pre-made sandbags are available by reservation only. Open 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Corp Yard, Dinkelspiel Station Lane near Fair Oaks Lane: Sand, shovel, and bags available (call 650-772-0570 to verify availability).
- Public Works Corporation Yard, 150 Tara Rd. Open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (except holidays). Sandbags are available only to city residents and businesses.
- The Burgess Park parking lot is located at the intersection of Burgess Drive and Alma Street. Bulk sand and empty sandbags are provided. Shovel not provided.
- Menlo Park Fire Station 77, located at 1467 Chilco Street. Bulk sand and empty sandbags are provided. Shovel not provided.
- Portola Valley Town Center, located at 765 Portola Road. Empty sandbags, funnels and shovels can be found at the Town Center by the driveway near the basketball courts. Sandbags are available only to Portola Valley residents.
- Redwood City Public Works, located at 1400 Broadway. Sandbags can be found at the southeast corner of the public parking lot at the City Corporation Yard.
- Woodside Town Hall, located at 2955 Woodside Road. Bulk sand and empty bags are available in the parking lot of Town Hall. Shovels not provided.
Bay City News contributed to this story.
