It is raining ... a lot. Here's what you need to know
By: Robert Krier

SAN DIEGO — The rain has started falling, but it’s still not too late to prepare for the rest of this week’s storms.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Don’t drive through a flooded street if you can’t see the road. It only takes a few inches of rain to sweep away a car.

• Make sure your car’s wiper blades are working properly.

• For information on road closures, visit sdcounty.ca.gov/dpwemergency.html or twitter.com/sdcountydpw.

• Stock up on emergency supplies, including a first-aid kit, prescription drugs, a portable radio, food, flashlights and spare batteries.

• Always assume that downed electrical lines are energized, so never touch them. For information on power safety, call SDG&E at (800) 411-7343.cq

• For details about power outages, go to: outages.sdge.com/publicOutageWeb/servlet/OutageMap

• Keep plastic sheeting and plywood on hand for repairs.

• Recheck rain gutters and drains to make sure they’re not clogged after Monday’s rain.

• Turn off automated irrigation systems.

• Beach contamination is common during and after storms. For updates on beach closures, call (619) 338-2073.

• Use sand bags to divert runoff and protect property. Local governments have been providing free sand and bags, but supplies are limited. You may have to buy the materials at Home Depot, Lowes and other hardware stores.

Here are places that may have free sand bags:

San Diego
Fire Station 15 – 4711 Voltaire St. in Ocean Beach
Fire Station 21 – 750 Grand Ave. in Pacific Beach
Fire Station 28 – 3880 Kearny Villa Road in the Kearny Mesa-Montgomery Field area
Fire Station 29 – 198 W. San Ysidro Blvd. in San Ysidro
Fire Station 33 – 16966 Bernardo Center Drive in Rancho Bernardo
Fire Station 37 – 11640 Spring Canyon Road in Scripps Ranch
Lifeguard stations in Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach

Oceanside
City Operations Center, 4927 Oceanside Blvd.

San Diego County
1364 Tavern Road, Alpine
Dulzura Fire Station, 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura
North County Fire Protection, Station Four, 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook
1587 Highway 78, Julian
Cal Fire, Mount Woodson Station, 16310 Highway 67, Ramona
16971 Highway 76, Valley Center
28205 North Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center