Free sandbags in Santa Cruz County, CA
Where to get sandbags, how to get official alerts, and how to check your own address before the next storm.
Where to get free sandbags in Santa Cruz County, CA
City of Santa Cruz: free sand at Fire Station 2 (1103 Soquel Ave, behind the station), Harvey West Park (326 Evergreen St, from November) and near Beach Flats Park (133 Leibrandt Ave, from Oct 28, 2026). Free empty bags at Fire Administration (230 Walnut St), London Nelson Community Center (301 Center St) and Nueva Vista (133 Leibrandt Ave). Limit 10 bags per household; bring a shovel.
- City of Santa Cruz: sandbag informationsantacruzca.gov
Checked against official sources on October 24, 2026.
Free storm alerts for Santa Cruz County
When the National Weather Service issues a flood, fire, wind or hurricane warning for Santa Cruz County, we email you right away with what to do. We also give you a heads-up a day ahead when NOAA forecasts severe storms or flash-flooding rain.
Want alerts for your exact street instead? Check your address and sign up there.
Flood maps for Santa Cruz County
1,007 FEMA flood-zone areas mapped across 128 map panels.
MyStormPlan hosts FEMA's flood map data for Santa Cruz County (FEMA data as of July 10, 2019), so you can see the exact zone at your front door in seconds. You'll also see wildfire, earthquake and other hazard layers for your address.
Get official emergency alerts
Santa Cruz County's official alert system is CruzAware. It's free and sends warnings to your phone when a storm, fire or evacuation affects your area.
Before the storm: a quick checklist
- Pick up sandbags early. Supplies run out once a storm is in the forecast.
- Fill bags about halfway and lay them flat, overlapping like bricks, at doorways and the garage door.
- Clear gutters, downspouts and the storm drain in front of your house.
- Move valuables, papers and electronics off the floor.
- Take photos or a video of your rooms and belongings for insurance.
- Never walk or drive through floodwater. Turn around, don't drown.
Questions people ask
Where can I get free sandbags in Santa Cruz County, CA?
City of Santa Cruz: free sand at Fire Station 2 (1103 Soquel Ave, behind the station), Harvey West Park (326 Evergreen St, from November) and near Beach Flats Park (133 Leibrandt Ave, from Oct 28, 2026). Free empty bags at Fire Administration (230 Walnut St), London Nelson Community Center (301 Center St) and Nueva Vista (133 Leibrandt Ave). Limit 10 bags per household; bring a shovel.
How do I get emergency alerts in Santa Cruz County, CA?
Sign up for CruzAware, which is free, and turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone.
How do I know if my home is in a flood zone in Santa Cruz County, CA?
Enter your address at mystormplan.com/check to see your FEMA flood zone and other hazards for your exact property, free.
How many sandbags do I need?
A common rule of thumb is about 100 bags to build a wall 1 foot high and 20 feet long. Most homes use sandbags to steer water away from doorways and garage doors. Fill bags only about halfway so they lie flat and tight.
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