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Sand and Sand Bag Distribution Program with Storm Safety Information

By frhayes | February 12, 2009

With a significant storm bearing down on the region, residents and businesses are urged to prepare themselves for the possibility of significant rainfall.

The City is providing sand and sandbags. The public may pick up sand at four fire stations (listed below) and the City’s Public Service Yard. Sand bags are being provided at all neighborhood fire stations.

Residents must bring a shovel and fill their own sand bags; however, residents with mobility impairments, or seniors who need assistance can obtain filled bags at the Senior Center at El Dorado Park West, 2800 Studebaker Road, and the Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th Street.

In addition, the City of Long Beach has prepared a list of important safety tips and emergency phone numbers for residents to access in the event of power outages, downed trees, flooding, etc. Emergency responders train and are prepared to respond to a disaster or other significant incident; however, residents are strongly urged to prepare themselves for a major emergency, with the goal of being able to be self-sustaining for at least 72-hours.

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
Remember to slow down and drive carefully. Please exercise a great deal of caution and patience, and allow yourself plenty of time to get where you are going. Avoid large puddles and do not attempt to cross running water.
Stay out of the LA and San Gabriel Rivers and Flood Control Channels due to possible high waters.
Beach-goers are advised to avoid local waters for at least 72 hours after the end of rainfall due to the high bacteria and pollution levels from urban runoff.
To report flooding or a clogged or blocked storm drain during business hours, please call 562.570.2726 or 562.570.3867 (DUMP). After-hours and on weekends, call 562.435.6711.
To report a fallen tree or limbs, call 562.570.2770 during business hours, or 562.435.6711 after-hours or on weekends. For trees or limbs in city parks, call 562.570.4895 during business hours, or 562.570.3101 after-hours or on weekends.
Fallen power lines are extremely dangerous. Report any downed lines to SCE immediately by calling 1.800.611.1911. Do not touch a downed line or anyone in contact with the line. Always assume a downed line is live. For more information, visit www.sce.com and click on the “Safety” tab.
Individuals can monitor the weather on television news, including the Weather Channel 76 on Charter Cable; radio news stations such as KFI 640 AM or KFWB 980 AM; and websites such as www.noaa.gov. In the left hand column, insert a Long Beach zip code, and a local map and report will appear.
This year, the City of Long Beach will provide free sand to residents at four Fire Stations. Residents must bring and use their own shovel (self-service) to get the sand, which is available in large bins outside the following four fire stations:
Station No. 7 2295 Elm Ave.
Station No. 12 6509 Gundry Ave.
Station No. 13 2475 Adriatic Ave.
Station No. 14 5200 Eliot St.
Sand can also be obtained for free at the Public Works/San Francisco Yard, 1601 San Francisco Ave. (outside, next to the gate, on the Esther Street side).
The City of Long Beach provides ten free sandbags to Long Beach residents and businesses with proper identification. Sand can also be obtained for a slight fee at local hardware stores. Please go to one of the following neighborhood fire stations to obtain your free sandbags:
Station No. 1 100 Magnolia Ave.
Station No. 2 1645 E. 3rd St.
Station No. 3 1222 Daisy Ave.
Station No. 4 411 Loma Ave.
Station No. 5 7575 E. Wardlow Rd.
Station No. 7 2295 Elm Ave.
Station No. 8 5365 E. 2nd St.
Station No. 9 3917 Long Beach Blvd.
Station No. 10 1417 Peterson Ave.
Station No. 11 160 E. Market St
Station No. 12 6509 Gundry Ave.
Station No. 13 2475 Adriatic Ave.
Station No. 14 5200 Eliot St.
Station No. 17 2241 Argonne Ave.
Station No. 18 3361 Palo Verde Ave.
Station No. 19 3559 Clark Ave.
Station No. 22 6340 Atherton St.
Sandbags will last as long as they don’t have a hole. If the bags are reusable, residents should keep them for the next major rainstorm. To discard, distribute sand in a flower bad or over a lawn, and then throw away the empty bags.
Do not take sand from the beach. It is illegal to dump sand at the beach, in the gutter or in the storm drain system. Sand can be returned to the Public Works/San Francisco Yard, 1601 San Francisco Ave.
For information on how to fill sandbags, visit ww.publicaffairs.water.ca.gov/information/sandbag.cfm
Emergency Phone Numbers:
Long Beach Gas & Oil Department, 562.570.2140
Long Beach Water Department, 562.570.2390
City Street Lights/City Light & Power Co., 888.544.4868
Other Useful Information and Websites:
American Red Cross, Greater Long Beach Chapter, www.greaterlongbeachrc.org, 562.595.6341
http://firechannel.org/blog/
Long Beach Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), www.longbeach.gov/fire/cert, 562.570.LBFD
www.sce.com/Safety