San Diego County is dry most of the year and has been especially so in recent years due to the prolonged drought. Heavy rains can cause severe soil erosion especially in areas not covered by lawns, trees, shrubs and plants. Water runoff, and especially mud and debris flows, can damage individual homes and properties and create even wider destruction by flooding roadways and clogging storm drains and culverts.
Locations to get the sand and bags are:
- Cal Fire Station 73: 28205 North Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center
- Pauma Valley-Rincon, Cal Fire Station 70: 16971 Highway 76, Valley Center Cal Fire Station 50: 1587 Highway 78, Julian
- Alpine Fire Protection District, Station 17: 1364 Tavern Road, Alpine (Bags ONLY)
- Ramona Station: 3410 Dye Road, Ramona
- North County Fire Protection District, Station 4: 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook
- Cal Fire Station 30: 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura
- Bonita/Sunnyside Fire Department: 4900 Bonita Road, Bonita
( The Boulevard Fire and Rescue Department located 39223 State Route 84 in Boulevard has sand and is expecting to receive bags to give out to residents this afternoon. Check first at 619-766-4633.)
Several areas in the county are prone to roadway flooding. The three most frequent are the dips at Quarry Road, Sandia Creek in the North County, and Country Club Drive in Harmony Grove. Gates at Quarry Road dip drop down automatically when activated by sensors in the stream. Public Works crews will post road closures at Country Club, Sandia Creek and any other areas where unsafe driving conditions exist. You can monitor the status of the dips by webcam and plan your trip accordingly.
RELATED VIDEO: High-Tech Weather Center Keeps Watch for Flooding
And here are some tips for when the heavier rains arrive: Never cross a flooded roadway if you cannot see the pavement. Even a few inches of water running at the right velocity can sweep a car, and even a truck, and its occupants off the roadway and downstream. You don’t want a swift-water rescue as part of your travel plans.
During and immediately after heavy rainfall, do not go near storm channels, creeks or streams.
It’s always a good idea to carry chains if planning a trip to the mountains. Chain controls, road condition updates, and other safety advisories are posted on Public Works’ Facebook and Twitter. During severe weather events, the Public Works Emergency page is activated with the latest information.