Long Beach is offering sand bags and other resources to residents as a powerful atmospheric river makes its way through Southern California during Christmas week.<\/p>\n
The storm, which swept into the region on Tuesday evening, Dec. 23, is expected to bring significant rain and strong winds to Long Beach through Saturday night, Dec. 27 \u2014 alongside elevated surf along the coast.<\/p>\n
The National Weather Service has issued several weather warnings for the Los Angeles\/Long Beach area, including a flood watch, a high surf advisory, a wind advisory, a flood advisory and flash flood watch, as of around 10:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur public safety teams, public works crews, and emergency response staff are fully mobilized and will continue monitoring conditions around the clock,\u201d Mayor Rex Richardson wrote in a Tuesday newsletter. \u201cWhile the city is ready, preparation at home and in our neighborhoods is just as important. I encourage you to plan ahead, commute carefully and avoid flooded roadways.\u201d<\/p>\n
Residents in low-lying and historically vulnerable areas \u2014 including the Peninsula and Alamitos Bay \u2014 are advised to take extra precautions, the city said.<\/p>\n
To help residents protect their homes, Long Beach has opened several sandbag distribution sites. Empty sandbags are available for pick up at every Long Beach Fire Department neighborhood station.<\/p>\n
Empty bags, alongside sand, will be available at:<\/p>\n
The lifeguard station at 72nd Place and Ocean Boulevard.
\nFire Station 7,\u00a0 2295 Elm Ave.
\nFire Station 12, 1199 Artesia Blvd.
\nFire Station 13, 2475 Adriatic Ave.
\nFire Station 14, East Paoli Way and East Third St.
\nThe Claremont Beach lot, 5400 E. Ocean Blvd.<\/p>\n
The sandbags will be available for Long Beach residents (you\u2019ll have to show ID), and will be limited to 10 bags per household. People are encouraged to bring their own shovels.<\/p>\n
For those in need of assistance, staff will be available to help fill sandbags at the Lifeguard Station at 72nd Place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 26.<\/p>\n
\u201cAhead of this storm, city crews have cleared catch basins in flood-prone areas and inspected pump stations and seawall plugs to ensure they are functioning properly,\u201d Richardson\u2019s newsletter said. \u201cOur Fire Marine Safety Swift Water Rescue teams will patrol riverbeds to warn of rising waters, and outreach teams will continue supporting people experiencing homelessness.\u201d<\/p>\n