Free Sandbags Available to San Mateo Residents

As San Mateo residents are preparing for , the city is reminding folks that free sandbags are available for pick-up, as well as other helpful tips to deal with winter weather.

Sandbags are available to residents year-round at the San Mateo Corporation Yard, located at 1949 Pacific Blvd. in San Mateo. Residents are limited to 10 sandbags per person. More information about the sandbags is on the attached flyer.

In the event of flooding, call the city's Storm Hotline at (650) 522-7300 to report blocked storm drains, street flooding and creek concerns.

In addition, the city of San Mateo has posted the following tips on its website for how to deal with a winter storm.

Street flooding
Move leaves and debris away from the storm drain to allow water to drain.

High winds/electrical storms
Contact PG&E or a certified arborist to keep branches away from electrical lines to prevent fires and outages; be cautious of electrical lines during windy weather.

Fallen trees and branches in road
If you are able, move the tree or branch to the side of the road to allow traffic to pass. If it is too large to move, call the city's tree removal service to assist you at (650) 522-7420 (normal business hours) and (650) 522-7350 (evenings/weekends).

Fog
Drive slower and use your low beams – high beams make it more difficult for oncoming drivers to see clearly.

Traffic Signal Outages
Windy weather can cause traffic signals to be out of service. When signals are down, drivers should treat the signal like a four-way stop.

Pets
Put identification tags on all pets in case they get lost during a storm. Do not leave your pets outside or tied up in the rain; prepare a warm, dry place inside.

Driving during a flood
Avoid driving through high water – it can wet your brakes, stall the engine and contaminate vehicle fluids. Adhere to flood warning signs and barricades and use alternative routes. If you must drive through water, drive slowly to reduce wake and prevent flooding.

Winter garbage/recycling collection tips
Be sure garbage containers are not overloaded so the lids can be completely closed; when recycling, put the paper bin on the bottom of the stack to prevent it from getting wet; and do not place hot ashes or coals in plastic garbage containers.