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Emergency Weather Tips
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Storms & Flooding
Just Before the Storm
There are a few items that you can do immediately before the storms hit. The more you can get ready in advance (see Storm Season Preparation and Tips to Reduce Flooding), the better. Remember to double check your emergency plans and supplies, as well as your drains and gutters.
Also, read through the instructions ahead of time on the during the storm section, as you could lose power or access to your computer. Keep a copy of phone numbers and instructions handy – before a storm hits.
Create a temporary flood barrier using sandbags
Sandbags Available From Seattle Public Utilities
Storm season is underway and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is offering a limited number of free, filled sandbags to households or business owners in flood-prone areas. If you’ve experienced, or come close to, flooding, you may consider using sandbags.
Sandbags don’t seal out water, but can help redirect the flow of water and protect property from debris. Sandbags must be used with caution because it is illegal to divert water to your neighboring properties.
SPU is making up to 25 sandbags available to households or businesses at four locations listed below starting Friday, November 6, 2009. Sandbags are heavy (they weigh about 40 pounds each), so be sure either you, or someone you bring with you, can lift, carry and load the sandbags into your vehicle.
Sandbag Pick-Up Locations:
Delridge Community Center
4501 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA 98106
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Helene Madison Pool
13401 Meridian N
Seattle, WA 98133
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South Park Neighborhood
731 S. Sullivan
Seattle, WA 98108
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Meadowbrook Community Center
10517 35th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98125
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SPU will have staff onsite on November 6 and 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with information about how to place sandbags and prepare for storm season.
If you are unable to pick up sandbags on November 6 or 7, you can still pick them up at any of these locations, any time of day, while supplies last. Sandbags will be left outside for public pick-up. To make sure there are enough sandbags available for all those in need, please limit your supply to 25 sandbags per address.
For more information about sandbags, read our FAQ or contact Pat O’Brien at (206) 786-9772.
Sandbags can also be Purchased
You can also buy sandbags at local hardware stores, but they are often pre-filled and at least 70 pounds. Do not use garbage bags, as they are too slick to stack. Use your Internet search engine to find vendors - using key words such as sandbags in Seattle.
Filling, Stacking, Placing and Disposing Sandbags
Filling sandbags is a two-person operation. Learn how to use sandbags from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Properly filled and placed sandbags can act as a barrier to divert moving water around, instead of through, buildings.
Dispose of the sand properly – do not throw away the contents in the street, down a drain, or in water bodies. Learn how to stack, place and dispose of sandbags (pdf).
Sandbags deteriorate when exposed to continued wetting and drying for several months. If bags are placed too early, they may not be effective when needed.
Elevate items that shouldn’t get wet
- • Move your valuables and/or anything irreplaceable out of your basements to the upper areas of your home.
- • Store chemicals in waterproof containers.
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