Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster issued a statement and outlined strategies to prepare for heavy rainstorms today and tomorrow.

“The weather forecasts predicts that Long Beach will be hit today with the next round of severe rainstorms and sustained winds starting in the early afternoon,” said Mayor Foster. “Please remain inside if you don’t have any reason to be out. If you must be driving, please pay attention and exercise extreme caution as the high winds and rain will cause difficult road conditions.”

Also, the campus of CSULB has been closed and will remain closed tomorrow.

Among the commitments mentioned in the press release are that City of Long Beach will barricade and direct traffic away from heavily flooded areas as well as clear any clogged drains. In addition, there will be no tickets issued for street sweeping violations, and any vehicles that are stuck in dangerous flooded areas will be towed to safety free of charge.

The press release is provided below.

The City of Long Beach will:

* Safely tow for free any vehicle abandoned or trapped in a flooded street to the nearest safe location.
* NOT issue street sweeping citations Thursday.
* Provide large trash bins at severely impacted areas to assist residents and businesses with clean-up efforts.
* Provide free sand and up to 10 bags at five Fire Stations:
o Station No. 5 7575 E. Wardlow Road (El Dorado Park)
Station No. 7 2295 Elm Ave.
Station No. 12 6509 Gundry Ave.
Station No. 13 2475 Adriatic Ave.
Station No. 14 5200 Eliot St.
o Sand can also be obtained for free at the Public Works/San Francisco Yard, 1601 San Francisco Ave. (outside, next to the gate, on the Esther Street side).
o Residents with mobility impairments, or seniors who need assistance can obtain filled bags at the Senior Center at El Dorado Park West, 2800 Studebaker Road, and the Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St.
* Identify flooded locations, prioritize the most pressing areas, barricade intersections to divert traffic, and clear away any debris.

Residents and business are asked to:

* Report any life-threatening emergency to 9-1-1.
* Report flooding, blocked storm drains, fallen trees or limbs, etc. by calling 562.570.2726.
* Keep trashcans up on the sidewalk and out of the gutter, so they don’t block the flow of water into the catch basins. Water in the gutter can lift and flip light trashcans, and then the trash will block the catch basin, compounding the problem. Refuse service will maintain the normal schedule.
* Never drive through a flooded street. If you don’t need to drive, stay at home. If you come across a flooded intersection or street, turn around or find an alternate route.