San Diego County officials Thursday urged residents in the unincorporated areas to prepare for the upcoming winter rainy season by stocking up on free sandbags to prevent soil erosion and mudslides on their properties.
The National Weather Service has forecast rain for much of next week as a series of Pacific storms is predicted to bring significant rainfall.
Michael Drake with the San Diego County Public Works Department says the agency is offering free sand and sandbags at seven locations in the unincorporated areas of the county.
"A lot of weather forecasters from National Weather Service are now predicting a wetter winter than normal, which is great because we really desperately need the rain," said Drake. "But with that additional rain comes the danger that we could have mud flows, debris flows and erosion problems."
He says the sandbags can help keep storm water and mud from blocking roadways and clogging flood control systems and storm drains.
Drake says heavy rains can do the most damage in areas not fully recovered from the wildfires in 2003 and 2007.
He says residents should bring a shovel to fill the bags.
Free sandbags are available in Valley Center, Julian, Alpine, Ramona, Fallbrook and Dulzura. The locations are:
-- 28205 N. Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center;
-- 16971 Highway 76, Valley Center;
-- 1587 Highway 78, Julian;
-- 1364 Tavern Road, Alpine;
-- Cal Fire Mount Woodson Station, 16310 Highway 67, Ramona;
-- North County Fire Protection Station Four, 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook;
-- Dulzura Fire Station, 17304 Highway 94.
