Sandbags, Flood Gates Urged In Laguna Beach As City Braces For Storm

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Sandbags and floodgates were recommended to Laguna Beach residents concerned about flooding this week. Laguna Beach remains under a flood watch, with pounding high surf and a large swell expected Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood watch will be in effect in Orange County starting Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon. Now is the time to do your flood preparation, according to the city.

"Business owners should also consider deploying their floodgates," a city spokesperson advised.

Downtown business owners and residents should put their floodgates into place Wednesday night and Thursday as a precautionary measure to protect property and inventory, according to the city. Flood gates are part of the City's Flood Plain Management Ordinance.

With the flood watch, drivers should expect potential problems on the roadways. Surban and small stream flooding, rocks and debris on roads, downed trees and numerous power outages, and mud and debris flows out of recent burn areas are all possible while the city is under a flood watch, the NWS predicted.

To combat the problems, the city is providing pre-filled sandbags to residents at the following locations:

• Act V Parking Lot (1900 Laguna Canyon Road
• Aliso Beach East (Inland) Parking Lot beginning at 10:00 a.m. today

Unfilled empty bags are available at any Laguna Beach fire station.

Laguna Beach residents are used to flooding during storms, but sometimes they can be taken by surprise, as in December of 2021. The service reported that most flood deaths occur in vehicles, so if you encounter a flooded area while driving — turn around and don't drown.