Flash Flood Watch Issued for Wednesday Afternoon

A flash flood watch has been issued from 3:00 pm Wednesday until 3:00 am Thursday for the East Bay Interior Valley’s. The National Weather Service is encouraging folks to take precaution now to protect property.

According to the alert:

• A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL BRING HEAVY RAIN WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING WILL BECOME LIKELY ALONG WITH RAPID RISES ON MAIN STEM RIVERS. SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS MAY RAPIDLY RISE NEAR OR ABOVE BANKFULL.
• TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT PROPERTY BY SAND BAGGING FLOOD PRONE LOCATIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
• A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

A high wind watch is also in effect from Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night for South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts 50 to 60 mph.

The warning includes how strong winds may blow down limbs, trees and power lines and scattered power outages are expected. Those driving high profile vehicles or those pulling trailers are advised to use caution. Isolated power outages may also occur.

Check back for updates.

County Run Sandbag locations

Byron Airport 500 eagle Court, Byron
Bags are located in the pump house at the junction of Byron Hot Springs Road and Holey Road. Contact Airport staff at 925-634-0147 for access. The sand cradle is located on the west side of the pump house.

Ambrose Recreation Center/CCC Family Service Center 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point
Bags are located in a large green plastic trash bin on the west side of the parking lot next to the fence line approximately ¾ of the way back to the playing fields.

City Run Sandbag Locations

City of Antioch – Maintenance Service Center located at 1201 W. 4th Street. Limit of 20 staff & do it yourself station. Cost is .50 empty/$1 filled

City of Brentwood – Corp Yard at 2201 Elkins Way. Limit of 10, do it yourself. No Charge

City of Oakley – located at the Ironhouse Sanitary District.

City of Pittsburg – Corporation Yard at 357 E. 12th Street. No charge.

Sandbag Fill Instructions

1. Fill sandbags 1/3 full with sand (3 shovels full)
2. FIRST BAG: Fold the empty top of the bag at a 45-degree angle away from the source of water to keep sand from leaching out
3. SUBSEQUENT BAGS: Place each bag over the folded top of the preceding bag. All folds must be folded the same direction.
4. .END BAG: Fold the top of the last bag in the row underneath itself and place it over the folded top of the preceding bag, then stomp/pat bags into place.

For a full list of sandbag locations in Contra Costa County, click here.