East Bay Residents Prepare For Possible Flooding
RICHMOND (CBS SF) -- As Monday's storm brings more heavy rain showers to Contra Costa County, county leaders are advising residents of locations where sandbags can be filled.
Public works officials said they're expecting it to be a tough week with Bay levels are already 9-12 inches higher than they usually are this time of year.
Officials are reminding homeowners that sandbagging is key. The county is offering 6 free sandbagging stations where people can fill up as many bags as they need whenever they need them.
Cleaning out leaves and trash from inlets on streets and in front of homes is critical, too. Public Works crews plan on keeping an eye on all the creeks in the county, but say it is going to take everyone working together to get through the anticipated wet winter.
It really is a partnership to keep them clean and clear, said Contra Costa County Director of Public Works Julie Bueren. We have done our job of maintaining our facilities that we maintain which is about 79 miles of regional channels.
In addition to the bay being higher than it typically is, King tides are also expected this week, which may lead to a perfect storm scenario. That's why Contra Costa County is reminding people to be prepared.
In West Contra Costa, a sandbag station has been set up in Richmond at the West County Detention Facility at 5555 Giant Highway.
There have been three East Contra Costa sandbag stations established. One is at an airport in the community of Byron. The Byron location is at 500 Eagle Court, where Byron Hot Springs Road becomes Holey Road. A sand cradle is located on the west side of a pump house there. Residents must contact airport staff at (925) 634-0147 for access.
A second location is at Oakley Senior Center at 215 Second St. Bags and sand are kept at the southern end of the center's parking lot, county officials said.
The third location is at the Ambrose Recreation Center at 3105 Willow Pass Road in Bay Point.
The two locations set up in Central Contra Costa are at the County Public Works in Martinez at 2475 Waterbird Way and at the Howe Homestead in Walnut Creek on 2950 Walnut Boulevard
All locations are open 24-7 and require people to bring their own shovel.
For more tips on how to prepare for possible flooding, visit the Contra Costa County website.