Long Beach is expecting an intensified El Niño, which could bring heavy rain and possible flooding. Here’s a list of free resources in the city and county to help you prepare and protect yourself against a wet winter.
Emergency alerts and updates
Sign up for emergency alerts through the city’s notification system Alert Long Beach. In the event of severe weather (or any other event that impacts city operations), you’ll receive a text or voice message to the phone number you use to register. Alerts will explain what happened, the action responders are taking and how to protect yourself.
Weather alerts
Additional updates are available through the National Weather Service, which posts real-time advisories, forecasts and updates to help you keep yourself safe and prepare for future weather.
Sand and sandbags
You can pick up empty sandbags at all neighborhood fire stations. (Find your closest station here.) Before storms, the city makes sand available at select locations. Check the city’s storm page for updates on where sand is available. When picking up sand, be sure to bring your ID and a shovel or tool. Residents can pick up a maximum of 10 bags.
Know your flood risk
You can look up your home and neighborhood’s flood risk using FEMA’s flood maps here. Areas in designated low-lying zones are particularly susceptible to flooding, and you may want to take extra precautions.
Build an emergency kit and make a plan
You can follow the city’s emergency planning guide, which walks you through how to put together a disaster kit and make a plan in the event of a disaster. The city recommends that, at minimum, your kit should include water for five days, non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, extra batteries, cash and important documents. A more comprehensive list is available here. Additional resources from FEMA on how to build an emergency kit are available here.
The city also recommends that residents make shelter-in-place and evacuation plans. Additional resources and recommendations for how residents of LA County should make emergency plans can be found here.
Road closures
Check for weather-related road closures and conditions through Caltrans. You can find detailed road and highway information through an interactive map here, a highway search tool here or by calling 1-800-427-7623.
211 LA
If you need help finding resources — including emergency shelter, food or transportation — you can dial 2-1-1 to speak with a member of the nonprofit 211LA who can offer information and connect you to services through Los Angeles County. The free hotline is available 24/7 and offers multilingual support, though you can also visit their website and chat online with one of their team members.
Power outages
If you lose power, you can check your outage status and restoration times through Southern California Edison here. SCE also provides resources on what to do if you see a downed power line or other electrical safety concern.
Anything we missed?
What resources have been helpful for you that you’d want to share with our audience? Email me at [email protected].