On Wednesday, February 26 through Saturday, March 1, two winter storms are predicted to bring one to two inches of rain to the Santa Clarita Valley. Officials are encouraging residents who may need them to stock up on sandbags.

All Los Angeles County Fire stations in the Santa Clarita Valley have unfilled sandbags available for residents. Residents can get a maximum of 25 sandbags per visit.

Sand is available at LA County Fire stations 73 and 124. Residents must bring a shovel and sandbags to receive sand. The locations are as follows:

* Station 73, located at 24875 Railroad Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA

* Station 124, located at 25870 Hemingway Avenue, Stevenson Ranch, CA  

Given the recent drought conditions, flooding is a potential concern because heavy rain may not be soaked up by potentially dry or hardened soil. This causes water to run off the top of the ground into rivers and streams, causing flooding.

The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, first responder agencies, and Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort (CARE) community partners are monitoring two major rain storm systems forecasted to impact the region later this week, and are coordinating emergency response and recovery contingency plans.

The agencies are ready to respond to any storm-related incidents countywide and foothill communities, including the cities of Glendora, Azusa and Monrovia, and the southwest area of the Antelope Valley, are on a heightened state of alert following recent wildfires that have left the areas at an elevated risk for mud and debris flows.

The LA County Public Works Department completed annual storm season preparation last summer. The countywide flood control system is fully operational. Following the recent Colby Fire, the Department completed additional preparations in Glendora and Azusa, cleaning out regional debris basins, working with the city on the placement of k-rails, and providing advice to homeowners on measures they should take to help protect their properties from mud and debris flows. Residents are advised to stay informed of local weather conditions and to follow all instructions from local law enforcement agencies. The flood control channels, as well as rivers, creeks, and lakes should be avoided when fast-moving water or flooding is present. Additionally, bicycle paths located adjacent to the channels will be closed until after the storms have passed.

Other storm preparations that are currently underway include:

* The Department of Parks and Recreation is sandbagging flood-prone park areas and is prepared to deploy lake lifeguards to County parks where heavy rain may create fast-moving running water

* To obtain free sandbags, visit your nearest County Fire station. A map of all stations is available by visiting www.dpw.lacounty.gov/care/sandbags/

* In the event of Red Cross shelter openings, staff from the Department of Public Social Services will be on hand to provide services and assistance

* The Department of Public Social Services will be conducting safety checks on any current Adult Protective Services clients in the affected areas

* For animals that need to be temporarily relocated, the Department of Animal Care and Control will be housing dogs, cats, and reptiles at the Inland Valley Humane Society in Pomona and horses and other large animals at Cal Poly Pomona

County residents are urged to remain vigilant during the storms and to monitor radio and television news broadcasts, County and city websites, and official Twitter accounts @LACountyCEO, @LACOOEM, and @dpwCARE for important information and updates throughout the rain events. Information from all of the CARE partners, including official press releases and other notifications will be available at www.dpwcare.org.

Individuals with access or functional needs may also call 2-1-1 for LA County information and referral services regarding post disaster resources that are available to those affected by the floods and debris and mud flow. The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. 211 LA County Services can also be accessed by visiting www.211la.org.