STORMY WEATHER PART 2
Sandbags restocked, how to use sandbags, City preparedness
This is Part 2 of our Storm reporting - Part 1 is here.
Good news - San Bernardino County Fire Station 44 located at 6560 Adobe Rd. received a new load of sandbags this morning, Saturday August 19, but the dirt piles are diminished. Check Theater 29 and the airport for additional dirt.
Using Sandbags - Helpful info on how to place sandbags via SB County:
The Army Corps of Engineers gives detailed instructions on how to best place sandbags, so they are most effective:
Remove any debris from the areas where bags are to be placed.
Place the bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of flow. Fill the low spots first before placing bags the full length of the area to be raised.
Place the sandbags to redirect water, mud or debris, not dam it.
Do NOT place sandbags directly against the outer wall of a building. Wet bags can create added pressure on the foundation.
Fold the open end of the bag under the filled portion. Place succeeding bags with the bottom of the bag tightly and partially overlapping the previous bag.
Offset adjacent rows or layers by one-half bag length to avoid continuous joints.
To eliminate voids and form a tight seal, compact and shape each bag by walking on it and continue the process as each layer is placed. This flattens the top of the bag and prevents slippage between succeeding layers.
Sandbags can best be used to help protect doorways if a waterproof layer like heavy plastic or waterproof canvas is placed behind them. If possible, tape it to the door frame. Stack the sandbags in a pyramid formation, following the above instructions, and wrap the plastic up and over the top. The waterproof sheeting is always essential for protection of doorways.
City Preparedness
We asked City Manager Frank Luckino about how City preparedness was going, his response is below - formattiing added by Desert Trumpet. In an emergency call 911.
Flood Channels
The City of Twentynine Palms has placed our flood first responders, Public Works, on standby this weekend. We have cleaned all our storm water sewers. We have ensured all our gates are operational for flood crossings the channels.
Sandbags
We have coordinated with SB County Fire on the distribution of sandbags, originally 1K, more supplies this morning are arriving (5K more for the Morongo Basin).
Emergency Shelter — As of Sunday morning shelter is moved to the senior center located at 6539 Adobe Rd. - it will be open at 1pm. Pets are ok, as long as they are in crates.
We are on standby for our emergency shelter, Patriotic Hall, if needed. American Red Cross is waiting if there are at least 30 homes displaced. (Note: Patriotic Hall is located in Luckie Park, 5885 Luckie Ave.)
Unhoused
We have had SB County Sheriff clear all flood control channels with homeless for their safety. We coordinated with Morongo Basin ARCH to put into hotels the most vulnerable that are without housing.
Resident Preparedness and Communications
We have posted on our Social Media account tips for family communication plan and homeowners guide to flood, debris, and erosion control. We are standing by to potential declare a disaster to have the ability to recover costs for damage.
City Communication team is ready to push out any information necessary as the storms approach. SB County Fire is staffed for any swift water rescues if needed. City Communication channels have been tested, satellite phone tested and two-way radios working.
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My husband and I just walked around our property together, making sure nothing was loose or left where it could be blown away, we brought the extra gas and left it besides the generator which we covered and secured again. I picked about 10 ripe figs, eating half before I made it into the house, moved some light pruned branches to under the tree. We had turned off the spriklers 2 days ago, I didn't refill the pond as most likely it will overflow and am keeping the pump off. There's not much more we can do as we can't fight Mother Nature. I grew up with hurricaines and our house had to have storm windows and doors on the otsde. Although this is unusual, it's doable and taking precautions we can survive. Later today I'll go check on my friend, older than me and living alone for the last 4 years.
Excellent recap. Seems everyone from community members, the Park, and City are taking safety seriously.