Sandbags offered in San Benito County

San Benito County residents can prepare for this weekend’s storm by picking up free sandbags and signing up for emergency notifications from the county.

On Friday, the county’s Office of Emergency Services advised residents and business owners that the storm poses the threat of power outages, downed trees and power lines, and urban and small stream flooding.

According to OES officials, drivers should avoid flooded areas and never attempt to cross a river or stream as currents may be stronger than expected. The County also warned residents to treat all low hanging and downed power lines as if they were energized and extremely dangerous and urged that during power outages, customers use battery operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire.

You can receive emergency notifications from public safety departments with CodeRed on your cell phone. Click here to register your cell phones to be able to receive the service.

Sandbags are available at the following locations in San Benito County:

1. Hollister Fire Dept. #2
1000 Union Road, Hollister

2. Hollister City Yard
1321 South Street, Hollister

4. County Yard
3220 Southside Road, Hollister

5. San Juan Bautista City Yard
Corners of 2nd and San Jose Streets

6. Aromas Fire Station
492 Carpenteria Rd.
Aromas, CA 95004