Locals get ready for second wave of heavy rainstorm

A forecasted massive downpour on the Central Coast this weekend is kicking preparation efforts into high gear.

“It worries me, I’m worried about it,” said Diane Emmrich of Ben Lomond. “That’s why we’re out cleaning our driveway. Getting all the leaves out making sure it can drain right.”

Sand bagging locations saw consistent traffic from people worried about floodwater seeping into their homes and garages.

“They say it’s going to be really big so I think we should sand bag,” said Tina Quaintance of Felton. “Make sure the water keeps going, keeps moving, that’s the main thing.”

The demand for sand is so high, Valley Churches United Missions ran out on Saturday.

“We’ve had at least 30 tons of sand and as you can see behind me it’s empty, they’re scraping what’s on the ground,” said Lynn Robinson, Executive Director of Valley Churches United Missions. We’ve probably gone through 1,500 sand bags.”

Grocery stores are also packed with locals buying up bare essentials before they hunker down.

“We’re pretty stocked up on food and then we went and bought flashlights,” said Emmrich.

But it was by no means a quiet day for PG&E and local tree service companies. They had their hands full.

“We’ve definitely been very busy,” said David Castaneda, with Davey Tree Service Company.

Crews spent hours relieving tension and pressure off power lines from eroded and drought stricken trees blown over by the wind.

“Before you go outside make sure there’s nothing already fallen over, broken or about to fall on you,” said Castenada. “Other than that if you do have a tree on the lines call PG&E or 911 immediately.”

PG&E set up a base camp in Scotts Valley to have quicker and safer access to neighborhoods with power outages.