Because rain is expected, free sandbags are available

With rain forecast, Laguna Beach is offering free, filled sandbags to residents and business owners at two locations.

Bags will be available 24 hours a day on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Act V parking lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road, and at the Aliso Beach Park inland parking lot at 31118 S. Coast Hwy. There is a 10-bag limit per person, and sandbags are not for private contractors.

Additionally, the city offers free, unfilled sandbags at its four fire stations: 501 Forest Ave., 2900 Alta Laguna Blvd., 285 Agate St. and 31646 Second Ave. Unfilled sandbags cannot be filled with sand from Laguna’s beaches or playgrounds. For locations where sand can be purchased, visit lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/police/emergprep/sandbags.

The city is trying to do its part to avoid flooding by cleaning and inspecting the Laguna Canyon Channel, maintaining public drains and manholes, holding workshops and mailing information to property and business owners, according to a news release.

The city urges residents to protect their homes by clearing out rain gutters, picking up litter and loose objects, and ensuring drains are cleared of debris.

Rain is expected to start Tuesday, with showers continuing Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Weather Channel website.

Visit lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/police/emergprep for more information about emergency preparedness and for video footage from past Laguna Beach disasters.

For more information, contact city Emergency Operations Coordinator Jordan Villwock at (949) 497-0389 or jvillwock@lagunabeachcity.net.