Heavy Rain and Wind Forecast: Placer County Sandbag Locations

Hard Rain is Gonna Fall

Placer County officials are making available free sand and sandbags to help residents in unincorporated areas prepare for a storm system that is expected to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Northern California through Monday. 

Placer County has a list of sand and sandbag locations available on its website at www.placer.ca.gov. County officials are urging residents to first reuse sandbags left over from the winter storm that hit Placer County on Dec. 11-12 before acquiring new sand and sandbags.

City residents are urged to contact city websites and officials for information about storm-related preparations.

To prepare for the coming storm, residents generally are urged to take such precautions as:

• Clearing leaves from drains and gutters
• Securing outdoor objects such as decorations and patio furniture
• Having emergency supplies of food, batteries, blankets and other necessities available in case of extended power outages
• Monitoring weather reports from the National Weather Service and media
• Not driving over downed power lines; and
• Turning around to avoid flooded roadways.  

The Placer County Office of Emergency Services is monitoring storm data closely in coordination with other agencies such as the Placer County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, local cities, utility companies and fire departments.

The National Weather Service forecast is for two waves of significant precipitation, heavy at times, that will move through the area into early next week. The first will last through Saturday and the second will move through Northern California Sunday into Monday. Breezy to gusty winds are expected, especially tonight through Saturday.

Potential impacts in Placer County include:

• Urban and small stream flooding
• Potential for debris flows near wildfire burn scars
• Localized power outages and downed trees due to breezy winds
• Winter road conditions above 6,000 feet on Friday.

For updated weather information, go to the National Weather Service’s website at www.weather.gov/.

Sand and Sandbag Locations

Residents who live in unincorporated areas of Placer County can pick up free sand and sandbags at the locations listed below.

Alta:
* CAL FIRE Station 33, 33752 Alta Forestry Road;
Dry Creek:
* Placer County Fire Station 100, Dry Creek, 8350 Cook Riolo Road;
Foresthill:
* Foresthill Fire Protection District Station 90, 20540 Foresthill Road;
Granite Bay:
* South Placer Fire Station 17, 6900 Eureka Road;
Homewood:
* North Tahoe Fire, Station 53, 5425 West Lake Blvd.;
Kings Beach:
* North Tahoe Fire Station 52, 288 North Shore Blvd, (Intersection of Highways 267 & 28);
Lincoln:
* Placer County Fire Station 70, 1112 Wise Road, Lincoln;
* Placer County Fire Station 74, 8500 North Forbes Road, Thermalands;
Loomis:
* Loomis Fire Station 28, 5840 Horseshoe Bar Road;
Meadow Vista:
* Placer Hills Fire Station 84, 16999 Placer Hills Road;
North Auburn:
* Placer County Fire Station 180, 11645 Atwood Road;
* Higgins Fire Station, 10106 Combie Road;
Ophir:
* Placer County Fire Station 182, Ophir, 9405 Wise Road;
Northstar:
* Northstar Community Services District Corp. Yard, 50 Trimont Lane (off Northstar Blvd.);
Paige:
* Placer County Fire Station 75, 5584 Nicolaus Road;
Sheridan:
* Placer County Fire Station 78, 4952 Riosa Road;
Squaw Valley:
* Old Squaw Valley Fire Station, 1810 Squaw Valley Road (at west end of valley, near lifts);
Truckee:
* Truckee Fire Station 92, 11473 Donner Pass Road; and
* Truckee Ranger Station parking lot, 10811 Stockrest Spring Road.

The Flood Control District is advising residents to:
* Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding;
* Avoid trying to cross flowing streams where water is above the knees because residents could be swept away by strong currents;
* Not sightsee in flooded areas or try to enter areas blocked off by local authorities;
* Avoid unnecessary trips, and dress warmly and advise others of destinations when traveling during storms;
* Monitor radio, television or online news sites for emergency information and instructions from authorities;
* Keep vehicles fueled in case power outages interrupt service station operations;
* Know safe routes from home or work that lead to higher ground;
* Store drinking water in closed, clean containers in case water service is interrupted;
* If flooding is likely and time permits, move essential items and furniture to higher ground, such as the upper floors of homes; and
* If advised by local authorities to leave home, move to safe areas promptly before access is cut off by flood waters.