Thousand Oaks is giving away pre-filled sandbags at its Municipal Service Center as an El Niño storm moves through the Conejo Valley.
The sandbags are available at the MSC, 1993 Rancho Conejo Blvd., on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, the City of Thousand Oaks said on X. Residents must load the sandbags into their own vehicles.
The giveaway comes as rain arrives across Ventura County on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and continues through Thursday, Oct. 22. The Ventura County Office of Emergency Services reports 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected across coastal and valley areas. Higher totals are possible along south-facing mountain slopes and near thunderstorms.
The heaviest rainfall is expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Brief heavy downpours could cause localized flooding, water buildup on roadways and hazardous driving conditions, according to the county emergency services page.
El Niño is marked by warm water in the equatorial Pacific that can increase rainfall across California, according to the city's El Niño preparedness page. That increased rainfall can lead to flooding, mud and debris flows, and power outages.
The city's preparedness page also warns residents not to drive through flooded roadways. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock a person down, and one foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect for Ventura County beaches through late Thursday night, according to the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services. The county advises caution near the shoreline.
For after-hours urgent matters related to water and wastewater, residents can contact the MSC standby line at (805) 449-2499.
