Sandbags are available around the Bay Area to help residents prepare for expected heavy rain that prompted a flood watch from the National Weather Service from Monday through Wednesday morning. 

The storm is forecast to bring several inches of rain to the Bay Area, including between 3-6 inches in the North Bay between Monday and Friday. Higher elevations could see up to 8 inches, and lower areas could experience runoff resulting in flooding. 

The counties of Marin, Sonoma, Solano, San Mateo, Alameda and Santa Clara have all made sandbags available at various pickup spots. Some locations are restricted to residents of the unincorporated areas of those counties, including all locations in Alameda County. 

Marin County

In Marin County, all locations are self-service, with supplies available at the site. Many locations are at fire stations, schools, parks and recreation areas, as well as the Civic Center in San Rafael. 

A helpful tip for filling your own sandbags from Marin County is to use a traffic cone as a funnel, which is available along with other supplies at filling stations in the county. 

Sonoma County

Sonoma County has sandbag stations open at the Sonoma County Fire District station at 6554 Mirabel Road, in Forestville, at the Geyserville Fire District station at 6571 Highway 128, in Healdsburg, in Petaluma, at Rancho Adobe fire station, located at 99 Liberty Rd., and the city of Sonoma, at Larson Park. 

All locations are self-serve.

Alameda County

Alameda County pickups are limited to residents in the unincorporated areas of the county. Supplies were available at the county public works building at 951 Turner Court, in Hayward, but supplies at other locations could not be confirmed on Monday. 

A list of sandbag locations in Alameda County is available on the county’s website. There is a limit of two bags per person.

San Mateo County

Residents in unincorporated areas of San Mateo County can make a reservation to pick up up to 15 pre-made sandbags at the Public Works Department’s Grant Corporation Yard, located at 752 Chestnut Street, in Redwood City. 

There are also supplies available at that location for residents that don’t live in unincorporated areas, along with supplies at Pescadero High School, and the Public Works Department’s La Honda Corporation Yard, located at 59 Entrada Way, in La Honda. 

For more information, and to make a reservation for pre-made bags, visit the county’s website.

Santa Clara and Solano counties

Santa Clara county residents can find several locations that have both pre-filled sandbags and self-service stations. Pre-filled locations include behind George Mayne Elementary School, in San Jose, Palo Alto Air Terminal, El Toro fire station, in Morgan Hill, Kelley Park, in San Jose, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District warehouse at 5905 Winfield Blvd, in San Jose. 

A complete list of locations in Santa Clara County is available at Valley Water website. 

Solano County residents can visit the county’s official website for a complete list of sandbag locations. 

Self-service stations are available at multiple locations, including several police and fire stations and public works properties.