Long Beach residents were being warned Wednesday to prepare for a storm expected to bring moderate rainfall, possible thunderstorms and coastal flooding Wednesday and Thursday, with particular concern for low-lying neighborhoods along the city’s waterfront.
The city announced Tuesday that it had opened sandbag distribution sites and would activate an emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the storm.
The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement through Thursday, warning of possible beach erosion and tidal overflow along south-facing beaches around high tide.
City officials urged residents of the Peninsula, Alamitos Bay, Naples Island and Belmont Shore to take precautions against localized flooding caused by rainfall and elevated tides.
Public works crews have inspected and cleared storm drains in flood-prone areas, checked pump stations and seawall plugs and reinforced protective sand berms along vulnerable stretches of beach, according to the city.
Officials urged motorists to avoid flooded streets and intersections and allow extra travel time during the storm.
Sand and sandbags are available at five locations throughout the city:
— Fire Station 7, 2295 Elm Ave.;
— Fire Station 12, 1199 E. Artesia Blvd.;
— Fire Station 13, 2475 Adriatic Ave.;
— Fire Station 14, 5200 E. Eliot St.; and
— Claremont Beach Parking Lot, 5400 E. Ocean Blvd.
Residents can obtain up to 10 sandbags and should bring their own shovels or other tools to fill them. Empty bags are also available at neighborhood fire stations.
Additional assistance with filling sandbags will be available at the Claremont Beach Parking Lot from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and during the weather event, officials said.
A limited number of prefilled sandbags will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents with disabilities or other accessibility needs may request delivery of prefilled sandbags by calling 562-570-4765 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
The city’s inclement weather shelter at the Multi-Service Center, 1301 W. 12th St., is scheduled to open Wednesday and remain available through Friday morning.
Long Beach Fire Department Marine Safety Swift Water Rescue personnel are scheduled to begin patrolling riverbeds at 6 p.m. Wednesday to warn people experiencing homelessness about the danger of rapidly rising water.
Homeless Services Bureau staff will also conduct outreach to notify people about the availability of the temporary shelter.
Residents were advised to avoid ocean water contact for at least 72 hours following significant rainfall because stormwater runoff can carry elevated levels of bacteria into coastal waters.
The city also urged boat owners in local marinas to secure vessels, check dock lines and remove loose equipment before the storm.
Additional sandbag distribution events are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Long Beach City College’s Trades, Technology and Community Learning Campus, 4901 E. Pacific Coast Highway, and Nov. 7 at the college’s Liberal Arts Campus, Lot M, 4901 E. Carson St.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness/alert-long-beach.
Street flooding and downed trees can be reported at 562-570-2700. Emergencies, including downed power lines, should be reported by calling 911.
Additional storm updates are available at longbeach.gov/emergency.