Long Beach residents are preparing as significant rainfall brings the wet and wild to the Los Angeles/Long Beach area. The City of Long Beach has kicked into gear with inclement weather action plans as the National Weather Service warns of a series of storm systems expected to hit from Wednesday through Friday.
Forecasters are predicting up to 3 inches of rainfall, complete with the chance for thunderstorms and high winds. According to information from the City of Long Beach, officials are on high alert, looking to mitigate flooding, especially in low-lying neighborhoods. For locals faced with an emergency, the city's direct advice is to call 9-1-1.
Maintaining the flow during the downpour, City workers have been ensuring that catch basins in flood-prone zones are cleared of any obstructive debris. Protective measures like seawall plugs and berms are being checked and fortified to stand against Mother Nature’s pending test. Swiftwater rescue crews are already making rounds, warning individuals, particularly those without shelter, of the hazardous rise in water levels.
For those looking to erect a personal line of defense, sandbags are up for grabs at local Fire Stations, as stated by the City's directive. Long Beachers need to show ID to collect up to 10 bags and are encouraged to come equipped with their own shovels for sand collection. This precautionary resource can be found at several locations including Lifeguard Station at 72nd Place and Ocean Boulevard, and other fire stations throughout the community.
Temporary sanctuary from the storm is being provided at the Multi-Service Center, serving as an Inclement Weather Shelter for the nights when the weather proves too severe. The residents are urged to stay off sand berms and keep a safe distance from any operating City vehicles and machinery.
Street inundation and fallen trees can be reported through Long Beach services, and locals should stay wary of downed power lines, alerting authorities immediately. For updates on the impact of weather on street sweeping schedules or other civic alerts, the City has encouraged following their public works department on popular social media platforms and signing up for the Alert Long Beach notification system. Inquiries about the city's emergency preparations can reach out to Reginald Harrison, the director at the department’s helm.
