Here’s where you can pick up sandbags to prepare for El Niño storm flooding

Officials have released a list of locations where San Diego residents can pick up sandbags to fill in the event that El Niño-related storms threaten to cause neighborhood flooding.

“Very high tides are expected this Sat–Tue and may cause temporary flooding in low-lying coastal areas like Midway and Mission Beach,” the city posted on Friday. “With El Niño developing, experts warn of additional flooding and erosion in the months ahead. City crews will monitor areas at risk of flooding.”

The post came on the heels of the city releasing its own online information resource page as it prepares for “significant impacts” from the storm system, which is expected to develop over the next few months.

The city has made empty sandbags available at recreation centers around town, noting that residents may only use up to 10 bags per residence or business, and that sand must be purchased separately at a local hardware or home improvement store; digging it up from a beach is not permitted.

The list of centers, divided by City Council district:

• District 1: Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St.
• District 2 coastal region: Robb Field athletic area, 2525 Bacon St.
• District 2 inland region: North Clairemont Recreation Center, 4421 Bannock Ave.
• District 3: Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Dr.
• District 4: Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 6401 Skyline Dr.
• District 5: Scripps Ranch Community Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Dr.
• District 6: Standley Recreation Center, 3585 Governor Dr.
• District 7: Allied Gardens Recreation Center, 5155 Greenbrier Ave.
• District 8: Silver Wing Recreation Center, 3737 Arey Dr; and Southcrest Recreation Center, 4149 Newton Ave.
• District 9: City Heights Recreation Swim and Tennis Center, 4380 Landis St.

The latest iteration of this type of weather system has been referred to as a “Godzilla El Niño” or “Super El Niño” because it carries what experts have described as the potential for record-breaking strength, with winter storms possibly hitting the San Diego area as early as this month as well as the potential to heavily damage the local coastline.