Free Sandbags Now at Washington Park and Bay Farm in Alameda
Two new self-service stations opened Oct. 19, so you don't have to drive to Lexington Street anymore.
By The Alameda Pulse
Alameda, CA now has three free sandbag stations instead of one. On Monday, October 19, the City of Alameda opened new self-service sandbag sites in the Washington Park parking lot at 1300 8th Street and the Grandview Pavilion parking lot at 300 Island Drive on Bay Farm Island, adding to the original station at Lexington Street and West Hope Street.
- Where: Washington Park lot, 1300 8th Street; Grandview Pavilion lot, 300 Island Drive, Bay Farm Island; Lexington Street and West Hope Street.
- When: The two new sites opened Monday, October 19. Lexington and Hope has been open since October 6.
- Cost: Free. You fill the bags yourself.
- How many: Up to five sandbags per resident, while supplies last.
- Who: The City of Alameda Public Works Department.
Where can I get free sandbags in Alameda?
You've got three choices now.
Until this week, there was just one station, at Lexington Street and West Hope Street. That's a haul if you live on the East End or Bay Farm. The new spots fix that. Washington Park sits right by Crown Beach, so it's handy for central Alameda. Grandview Pavilion covers Bay Farm, so you won't need to cross the bridge to the main island just to grab bags.
It's all on the city's storm season preparation page, which lists every site and what to do before a big storm.
How many sandbags can I take?
Up to five per resident. The city says supplies are limited, so don't wait for the first atmospheric river to show up on the forecast.
Five bags won't wall off a whole house. But they can block the bottom of a door or steer water away from a garage.
Need a hand? On Saturday, November 7, from 8 a.m. to noon, city staff will be at the Lexington Street site to help load sandbags into your car.
Why is Alameda handing out sandbags so early?
Because the city's bracing for an active El Niño winter. Back on September 28, the city put out a warning and started sandbags on October 6, earlier than usual. You can read our story on the first sandbag station for that background.
Here's the rest of the city's checklist:
- Clear your gutters and keep leaves and yard waste out of the street.
- Park cars and set your bins about a foot from the curb so water can reach the drain.
- Point sump pumps at your yard, at least 10 feet from the foundation. Never into the sewer, the street or a neighbor's yard.
- Move important stuff up off basement floors.
What happens next?
The three stations stay open while supplies last, and staff help returns to Lexington Street on November 7. If you see a clogged drain, a downed tree or a flooded traffic lane, call Public Works at 510-747-7900 during business hours or 510-337-8340 on evenings and weekends. If anyone's in danger, call 9-1-1. More Alameda community news is here.
