City Distributes Sandbags to Help Protect Homes and Businesses from Flooding
West Hollywood residents and businesses can receive free sandbags as heavy rain is expected to hit Southern California in the coming days. The City of West Hollywood is distributing sand-filled sandbags to help residents protect their properties by directing flowing water away from structures.
A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread rainfall and strong winds to the Los Angeles area from Tuesday night through Friday, with the heaviest downpours likely occurring Thursday into Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters warn of a high risk of urban flooding, particularly on roads, burn scar areas from the Palisades Fire, and in parking lots. Rainfall will begin lightly on Wednesday and early Thursday before intensifying Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. Gusty winds are also expected, reaching 20 to 40 mph in the valleys and up to 60 mph in the mountains.
To review areas that are in high debris flow risk zones due to the recent burn scars, visit: https://pw.lacounty.gov/explore-public-works/fire-disaster-information/. This includes the following fires: Hurst (San Fernando), Sunset (Hollywood Hills), Kenneth (West Hills), and Palisades (Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon).
The city is offering up to 10 sandbags per resident or business while supplies last. Sandbags can be picked up by appointment at the City of West Hollywood’s Operations Center, located at 7317 Romaine Street. Appointments are available from Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, through Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
To schedule a pickup, residents and business owners can call (323) 848-6591 or email phertz@weho.org. Those who are Deaf or hard of hearing can call TTY (323) 848-6496. There are no weekend pickup times scheduled, and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Pickup times may be extended into early next week if weather conditions worsen and supplies are still available.
As heavy rains and colder temperatures approach, the City of West Hollywood advises residents to take precautionary measures, including:
- Keeping emergency supplies on hand, such as a flashlight, water, food, a first-aid kit, a portable radio, and extra batteries.
- Clearing drains and rain gutters to prevent blockages.
- Knowing how to turn off utilities if necessary.
- Monitoring weather forecasts and signing up for emergency alerts.
Residents are encouraged to subscribe to Alert LA County notifications by visiting ready.lacounty.gov/alerts or by texting their ZIP code to 888-777 to receive Nixle public safety alerts.
The city also reminds drivers to exercise caution when driving in wet conditions, as rain increases the risk of accidents. Safety tips for driving in the rain include:
- Slowing down and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Turning on headlights and using windshield wipers.
- Avoid heavy braking and watch for standing water.
- Ventilating the car to prevent fogged windows.
To report storm-related issues within West Hollywood, call (323) 848-6375. For structural damage or hillside slope movement, contact the City’s Building and Safety Division at (323) 848-6320.
In case of gas leaks or damage, contact the Southern California Gas Company at (800) 427-2200. To report power outages, call Southern California Edison at (800) 611-1911. For downed power lines or other emergencies, call 911.
