San Diego Distributes Sandbags and Planning Guides to Seniors Ahead of Stormy Season
City officials are hosting workshops at three senior centers to help residents prepare for a strong El Niño winter and potential flooding.
By Noor Phillips ·
San Diego officials are focusing emergency preparedness efforts on older residents as a strong El Niño pattern approaches. The city is holding three workshops at local senior centers to help participants create personal disaster plans. These sessions aim to provide practical steps for staying safe during the coming wet season.
Staff from the city’s Office of Emergency Services visited the Cathy Hopper Friendship Center to distribute resources. The city handed out books designed to guide residents through creating an emergency plan, along with physical supplies like sandbags. Jason Shanley, a captain with the Office of Emergency Services, explained that early preparation is vital for seniors who may face specific challenges during a crisis.
Shanley noted that the goal is to provide frequent reminders so residents can make informed decisions if a storm hits. He advised attendees to check older sandbags to ensure they still hold their shape and can contain weight. His primary recommendation involves organizing important documents in weatherproof containers and keeping medications in easily accessible locations. He also emphasized the need to pack prescriptions for pets alongside those for humans.
Anne Bilyeu Dirks, a workshop attendee, cited her experience during the 1998 El Niño as a reason to prepare now. She recalled severe flooding on local streets and concerns about roof damage and grocery access. Dirks stated that having water, food, pet supplies, and prescriptions ready is essential for readiness.
The city is also providing additional support for seniors who cannot easily leave their homes. Transportation assistance is available for homebound residents, while sandbag deliveries are being made to households in flood-prone areas. These measures are part of the city’s broader effort to ensure seniors are equipped before the first major storms arrive.
The workshops are part of a series of three events planned for senior centers across the city. The distribution of the personal disaster plan book serves as an initial step in the preparation process. The city continues to monitor weather patterns and will issue further updates as the El Niño season progresses.
