Rialto residents can pick up free sandbags at three city locations as heavy rain threatens the region this weekend.

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, which serves Rialto, posted a countywide advisory on X on Friday, Oct. 30, reminding residents to take steps to protect their homes and property. The district said sandbags can help divert water away from structures and reduce the risk of flooding.

Where to get sandbags

Rialto's Public Works Department stocks sand and ready-to-fill sandbags free of charge for residents and business owners when rain has been forecast, according to the city's sandbag information page. The limit is 10 sandbags per household or business.

Three pickup locations are available:

  • City Maintenance Yard, 246 S. Willow Ave. (south driveway)
  • Fire Station 203, 1550 N. Ayala Drive (across from Jerry Eaves Park)
  • Fire Station 204, 3288 N. Alder Ave. (in front of Alec Fergusson Park)

The county also launched an El Niño storm prep page with additional resources.

Rain is here

Scattered showers began moving into Southern California on Friday morning, with heavier downpours expected over the weekend, the New York Post reported. Forecasters expect widespread rainfall totals between half an inch and 1.5 inches, with some mountain and foothill communities potentially receiving as much as 2.5 inches.

FOX 11 meteorologist Maria Quiban said San Bernardino could receive around an inch of rain, the Post reported.

The National Weather Service said the storm has been "a challenging system to get a hold of and even more challenging to describe," the Post reported. The agency warned that rainfall predictions remain uncertain, with a 20% chance some areas could receive either double or half the projected amounts.

Oct. 31 morning and early afternoon should offer a brief reprieve, but conditions are expected to worsen after sunset. Forecasters estimate a 10% to 20% chance of isolated thunderstorms Saturday night into early Sunday, the Post reported.

Safety reminders

The NWS urged drivers to avoid flooded roads, warning that most flood deaths occur in vehicles, the Daily Bulletin reported. The agency also advised residents to monitor forecasts and be prepared to act if flash flood warnings are issued, the San Bernardino Sun reported.