Monday, December 22, 2025

Free Sandbags Available for Home Protection in Altadena and Pasadena

Officials in Altadena and Pasadena are offering free sand and sandbags to help residents protect homes from storm runoff and debris flows.

In Altadena, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department noted that “properly filled and placed sandbags can be used by residents to divert moving water, redirecting storm and debris flow away from your property.”

The county program requires proof of Altadena residency, and residents may collect sandbags only from locations within their own city.

The Sheriff’s Department noted that “properly filled and placed sandbags can be used by residents to divert moving water, redirecting storm and debris flow away from your property.” The county program requires proof of residency.

Altadena’s sandbag site is at the Los Angeles County Public Works Fleet Maintenance Yard, at 252 Mountain View St. in Altadena.

Pasadena Distribution Sites

The City of Pasadena designates two fire stations as permanent sandbag distribution locations: Fire Station 37, 3430 East Foothill Boulevard, and Fire Station 38, 1150 Linda Vista Avenue.

Both stations offer self-serve sand and sandbags available year-round to Pasadena residents. During periods of anticipated rainfall, the stations typically operate distribution from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though availability may vary depending on weather conditions.

Pasadena residents seeking sandbags must meet specific requirements:

• “Limit: 10 sandbags per resident”
• “Proof of Residency Required: Valid identification showing Pasadena address”
• “Contractors Not Permitted: The program serves residential property owners only”

Residents are encouraged to collect sandbags before storms arrive, as supplies may become limited during high-demand periods.

Additional Emergency Resources

The City urges residents to register for the Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System (PLEAS) to receive voice, email, and text emergency notifications. Registration is here.

For power-related emergencies, residents should contact Pasadena Water and Power at (626) 744-4673, while water-related emergencies should be reported to (626) 744-4138.

The Sheriff’s Department release also underscores that “residents should never attempt to cross flooded roads, trails, or streams,” noting that rainfall in burn areas can result in sudden and unpredictable hazards.