Free Sandbags Available in Alameda Starting Oct. 6
A self-serve station at Lexington and W. Hope opens Oct. 6, with staff loading help Nov. 7.
By The Alameda Pulse
Free sandbags are available in Alameda, CA starting Tuesday, Oct. 6, at a self-serve station at Lexington Avenue and W. Hope Street. The city says you can take up to five bags, and staff will help load your car on Saturday, Nov. 7.
- Where: Corner of Lexington Avenue and W. Hope Street
- When: Self-serve starting Tuesday, Oct. 6
- Limit: Up to five sandbags
- Loading help: Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to noon
- Who: City of Alameda Public Works
Where do I get free sandbags in Alameda?
You get them at the corner of Lexington Avenue and W. Hope Street, and you pick them up yourself.
No sign-up. Just show up on or after Oct. 6 and take what you need, up to five. If you can't lift a sandbag, come on Nov. 7. That morning, from 8 a.m. to noon, city staff will help load vehicles.
Why is the city handing out sandbags now?
The city expects a wet winter. According to the City of Alameda's storm season announcement, this El Niño year is expected to bring "an active storm season to the Bay Area, with periods of heavy rain, higher tides, and an increased chance of localized flooding."
That last part matters on an island. Higher tides and heavy rain at the same time is when low spots get wet. Sandbags won't fix that, but they can keep water off a doorway or a garage.
The city says it's also inspecting storm drains, doing shoreline flood protection work and watching flood-prone areas during big storms. It's working on a Shoreline Adaptation Plan for sea level rise and storm surge too.
How do I get ready for storm season?
Start with a few small jobs before the first big storm. City Public Works suggests:
- Clear your gutters.
- Keep yard waste out of the street, where it can clog drains.
- Have an arborist look at any tree that worries you.
- Make sure your sump pump drains to your yard or landscaping, at least 10 feet from your foundation.
- Think about flood insurance.
- Sign up for emergency alerts through Alameda County.
The city also has a Civil Grand Jury look at Alameda's disaster readiness worth reading if you want the bigger picture. For more local updates, see our latest Alameda news.
What happens next?
The station opens Tuesday, Oct. 6, and staff help is on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to noon.
If you see flooding, a clogged drain or a downed signal, call Public Works at 510-747-7900 during business hours or 510-337-8340 evenings and weekends. If someone's in danger, call 911.
