How to Sandbag and Prep Your Home for King Tides in Newport Beach & Huntington Beach

How to sandbag and prep your home for a king tide: 10 steps

1. Sign up for alerts and watch the tide.

Sign up for Newport Notified at NBPD.org, or follow City of Huntington Beach updates. Check the NOAA prediction and the National Weather Service forecast the week before. This season, expect real water to come in higher than the prediction.

2. Gather your supplies early. Checklist:

• Sandbags (prefilled, or empty bags plus sand)

• A round-point shovel (Huntington Beach is self-serve, so bring your own)

• Work gloves and safety glasses

• Plastic bins for things in the garage

• A flashlight, charged phone and battery bank

• Copies of key papers in a waterproof container

• Rubber boots for cleanup

Stations can run out right before a big tide, so don't wait.

3. Pick up free sandbags.

Both cities hand out free bags to residents. Locations are listed right below these steps.

4. Fill bags only halfway.

Fill each bag about one-third to one-half full so it lies flat and seals against the next one. Work in pairs and wear gloves: one person holds the bag open, the other shovels. Overfilling is the most common mistake.

5. Lay them like bricks at doors and garages.

Fold the open end under and lay each bag with the fold facing away from the water. Overlap each bag on the one before it and stomp it flat. Stagger the next row over the seams. Keep it to two rows unless the bags are backed by a wall.

6. Don't count on sandbags alone.

Sandbags slow shallow water. They don't seal it out, and they're meant for low water, up to about two feet. Find the low points where water gets in, and don't aim water at your neighbor's house. If you have a private seawall, have a qualified pro look at it.

7. Clear drains and look at backflow.

Clear leaves and debris from gutters and drains on your property. If water backs up through floor drains or toilets, ask a licensed plumber about a check valve (backflow valve).

8. Move valuables and stay safe around electricity.

Lift boxes, tools and electronics off the garage floor and onto shelves or a higher floor. Never touch electrical equipment if it's wet or you're standing in water. Shut off power only if you can do it safely.

9. Move your car to higher ground.

Move cars off low streets the night before, especially low-clearance cars. During big tide events, Newport Beach has suspended parking enforcement so people can use higher streets and city lots. Never drive through flooded streets. Your wake pushes water into homes, and 12 inches of moving water can sweep a car away.

10. After the water drops: clean up safely.

Go back in only when officials say it's safe. Wear gloves and boots, since floodwater can carry sewage and debris. Take photos for insurance before you clean. Then dry everything you can within 24 to 48 hours to head off mold. Leave sandbags in place until the king tide stretch is over.

Where to get free sandbags

Newport Beach (residents)

Free prefilled sandbags:

• Corporation Yard, 592 Superior Ave.

• Marina Park, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.

• Temporary Fire Station No. 1, East Ocean Front parking lot near Balboa Pier

Empty bags: any Newport Beach fire station, or Lifeguard Headquarters, 70 Newport Pier.

Supplies run while they last. Bring proof of residency. Call Municipal Operations at (949) 644-3055 to check stock.

City info: newportbeachca.gov/elnino

Huntington Beach and Sunset Beach (residents only, no businesses)

Self-serve sand and bags. Bring your own shovel. Limit 20 bags per household. Have proof of residency ready.

• Corporate Yard, 17371 Gothard St. (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.)

• Edison Community Center, 21377 Magnolia St.

• Warner Fire Station, 3831 Warner Ave.

Questions: (714) 960-8861. Seniors and people with disabilities who can't get bags another way can call HB CERT at (714) 536-5974 to ask for a free 20-bag drop-off. Volunteers handle it as they're available.

City info: Huntington Beach Sandbags Information