As Los Angeles County residents prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Hilary, they can avail themselves of sandbags, readily available at numerous locations throughout the county. Experts predict that by the time Hilary reaches Southern California, it will have downgraded to a tropical storm status.
Sandbags serve as an affordable and efficient means to prevent water from infiltrating homes and businesses. They can also be used to create barriers or divert water away from buildings, as per guidance from Cal EOS.
Filled sandbags can be collected from all neighborhood fire stations across the county. Residents can use a dedicated website to locate their nearest fire station. However, not all locations have sand available, and availability can depend on seasonal conditions.
For those unable to find sand, officials suggest filling the bags with soil as an effective alternative.
Though it is unusual for tropical storms or hurricanes to strike California, such instances are not entirely unheard of. Last year, Tropical Storm Kay brought rain, high winds, and flooding to the region. The only known hurricane to make landfall in the Golden State, a Category 1 storm, reached near San Diego in 1858. Other tropical storms made landfall in 1939 and 1978, resulting in significant wind speeds, flooding, and even fatalities.