Winter Storm Inundates Laguna Beach Thanksgiving Day

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The City of Laguna Beach is expected to be impacted by a storm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, bringing intermittent periods of heavy rain and potential localized flooding.

The most significant phases of the storm arrived Wednesday morning and afternoon and were expected to return Thursday afternoon through evening.

Prediction models can change so stay tuned to local weather reports.

Out of an abundance of caution, Downtown and Canyon residents and business owners are encouraged to put your flood gates into place while your business is closed as a precautionary measure to protect your property and inventory.

The National Weather Service San Diego monitored the first round of participation as it swept across the southern California coastline.

Laguna Beach has provided residents with pre-filled sandbags on a first-come first-served basis to residents and business owners from two locations: the Act V parking lot located at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road and at the Aliso Beach east parking lot located at 31118 Coast Highway (at the inland parking lot). These pre-filled sandbags are not for contractors. Empty sandbags are also available at Laguna Beach’s four fire stations.

Sandbags are free; however, you must provide your own sand. It is not permitted to fill them with sand from Laguna’s beaches or playgrounds. For local locations of where you can purchase sand please visit our website www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/police/emergprep/sandbags.htm. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, sandbags work best when they are filled two-thirds full and folded at the top.

The best way to place a sandbag is to first remove any debris from the areas where bags are to be placed, then place the bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of water flow.

Fill the low spots first before placing bags the full length of the area to be raised. Fold the open end of the bag under the filled portion. Place succeeding bags with the bottom of the bag tightly and partially overlapping the previous bag. To eliminate voids and form a tight seal, compact and shape each bag by walking on it. This flattens the top of the bag and prevents slippage between succeeding layers. Continue the process as each layer is placed.