SAN DIEGO — With rain and a Flash Flood Watch in the forecast this week, the City of San Diego is making storm preparations and reminding city residents that free sandbags are available at one centrally located recreation center in each City Council District.
The bags are in limited supply and residents will need to show proof of residency to receive up to 10 empty sandbags. They will be available anytime between 1 and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; and from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to providing sandbags, the city is also placing "no parking signs" in low-lying and other flood prone areas and sweeping critical locations around drains and inlets that typically experience heavy build-up. They also will have teams that will monitor storm drain locations and install bypass pumps where the infrastructure may be overwhelmed by storm waters.
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In addition to sandbags, the city is also preparing shelter for the homeless during the storm.
Father Joe's Villages and Connections Housing are gearing up to accommodate more than 160 additional homeless residents needing shelter due to forecasted rain, according to the San Diego Housing Commission.
The commission activates its Inclement Weather Shelter Program when temperatures drop below 50 degrees and the chance of rain is higher than 40%, the temperature falls below 45 degrees regardless of the chance of rain or sustained high winds are predicted.
The program is funded through a partnership between the commission, the city of San Diego, Father Joe's and Connections Housing.
Father Joe's can shelter an additional 134 residents throughout the night, while Connections Housing and People Assisting the Homeless can add up to 30 residents. Check-in at Father Joe's begins at 4 p.m. and residents are expected to check out by 5 the next morning. Check-in at Connections Housing runs from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and residents are expected to check out by 7 the following morning.
Those at both shelters will have meals provided to them.
Residents can dial 211 or visit 211sandiego.org to find out more about the county's Inclement Weather Shelter Program.
SeaWorld San Diego announced Tuesday that the park will be closed Wednesday due to "possible periods of significant rain and thunderstorms."
Sandbags are available at the following locations only:
Council District 1
Standley Recreation Center
3585 Governor Drive, San Diego 92122
Council District 2
Robb Athletic Field
2525 Bacon St., San Diego 92107
Council District 3
Golden Hill Recreation Center
2600 Golf Course Drive, San Diego 92102
Council District 4
Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center
6401 Skyline Drive, San Diego 92114
Council District 5
Scripps Ranch Recreation Center
11454 Blue Cypress Drive, San Diego 92131
Council District 6
North Clairemont Recreation Center
4421 Bannock Ave., San Diego 92117
Council District 7
Allied Gardens Recreation Center
5155 Greenbrier Ave., San Diego 92120
Council District 8
San Ysidro Community Activity Center
179 Diza Road, San Diego 92173
Council District 9
City Heights Recreation Center
4380 Landis St., San Diego 92105