I want to thank our community for the tremendous cooperation we have received as we attempt to safe guard lives and homes during this rainy season. We have been very lucky so far in that all of the measures which have been put into place have done their job and Mother Nature has not overwhelmed us. However, we can not afford to let our guard down. It will take years for the Station Fire burn area to recover, and while the debris basins serving Glendale have worked beautifully, we have already witnessed them being filled to capacity by early February. The County Flood Control District is working diligently to restore much needed holding capacity to these basins.
I want to remind you that sandbags can deteriorate over time. Additional bags and sand will be available at the locations identified below on this web page. Please keep your property safe by replacing bags as needed.
When rain is anticipated, we request that all vehicles be moved to your own driveway and out of the street in the northern most portion of Glendale, south of the Station Fire burn area. Not only will this protect your vehicle from flowing water, mud and rocks, it will allow our existing storm drain system, which includes streets and curb gutters, to perform at its maximum capacity and will allow city crews to more rapidly clean up any mud and debris which is left behind in the public right-of-way.
Once again, thank you for your diligence and cooperation. You make this city a special place in which to live and work.
Steve Zurn, Director of Public Works
Time lapse video of the February 6, 2010 Deukmejian Park mud and debris flow in the channel leading to the Dunsmuir catch basin.
The debris flow you are viewing is approximately 125 feet across and 8 feet deep. The speed at which the flow is moving has not been estimated as of yet.
DEBRIS HAULING
The L.A. County Flood Control District will be removing sediment and debris from various basins throughout the area 24 hours a day seven days a week. Residents living on designated streets will experience truck traffic on an around the clock basis. The Dunsmuir debris basin near Deukmejian Wilderness Park will be included in this cleanup effort.
Hauling of debris will take approximately 10-14 days on a 7 day per week 24 hour per day basis.
Residents can call the LA County Public Works Flood Control Dispatch Office directly at 626-458-HELP which is 626-458-4357, to provide the license plate number of any dump truck which violates traffic laws, to make a complaint about dust or debris left by trucks, to comment on haul routes or to request information about the cleaning out of debris basins in the Glendale area.
The City’s Government Access Channel, GTV6, on Charter Cable. GTV6 is also on AT&T U-Verse channel 99 and on the City’s website
The City’s Community Hotline (818) 548-6464
If you live in the hillside areas, it’s prudent to always be prepared. Glendale residents are encouraged to clean out their own drainage systems to promote effective storm water flow, and to take any measures necessary to protect their property.
The City has crews trained to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should an emergency occur. However, early prevention can often save time, money and property.
Glendale residents are urged to utilize the use of sandbags to control debris and mud run off. Bags are available for pickup at the City’s Public Works Corporate Yard and area Fire Stations. A limit of 12 sandbags (per household) will be available for pickup at the Fire Stations, however, if more bags are needed, accommodations can be made.
During the winter months, when inclement weather is forecasted, the Public Works Department extends its service hours at the Corporate Yard to make sandbags available to residents and businesses to help them protect their properties from storm-related damage.
How Residents Can Help
Check and clean private drainage systems.
Do not place leaves, debris or lawn clippings near storm drains.
Place leaves and green trimmings in your Green Container for weekly recycling pickup.
If you have a lawn or gardening service maintain your property, please ask them to pickup all leaves, debris and lawn clippings blown into the curbs and gutters. Debris left in the gutter is not only a city code violation, but also can contribute towards storm flow blockage during rain events.
Keep natural waterways such as creeks and ditches free from obstacles and obstructions.
If you live on or adjacent to a hillside, look for the following warning signs:
An extraordinary amount of rain over a short period of time.
Material such as mud and dirt running off the hillside when it rains. Look for dirty water.
Leaning trees or vegetation moving down the hillside.
Sandbags
During the storm season, free sandbags are offered at the following locations listed below. Please note that residents must fill the sandbags themselves.
1. Glen Ivy Drive just east of Scholl Drive
2. Corner of Glen Ivy Drive and Waltonia Drive
3. Dunsmore Park, 4700 Dunsmore Avenue
City of Glendale Public Works Corporate Yard
541 W. Chevy Chase Drive
(10 unfilled bags per resident)
In Emergency Situations Call Corporate Yard for More Bags
Phone: (818) 548-3950
Service Hours: 6:30 am to 11:00 pm
Virgil’s Hardware
520 N. Glendale Ave.
Poly Bags: $0.69 each
Filled Sandbags: $4.99 each
Phone: (818) 242-1104
Glendale Builders Supply
4415 San Fernando Road
Poly Bags: $0.36 each
Burlap Bags: $0.54 each
Filled Sandbags: $2.87 each
Phone: (818) 242-4135
A.O. Richardson Equipment Rentals
4311 San Fernando Road
Poly Bags: $0.36 each
Filled Sandbags: $1.78 each
Phone: (818) 242-3129
Preparing Sandbags
Fill sandbags one half full. Sand is suggested if readily available; however, it is not mandatory, and local soil may be used.
Fold top of sandbag down and rest bag on its folded top.
Stomp each sandbag into place, completing each layer prior to starting the next layer.
Reporting Storm-Related Emergencies
To report storm-related emergencies such as trees down, landslides, potholes and road erosion, please call the Maintenance Services Division at (818) 548-3950.
I Can Breathe! Masks
The City of Glendale Public Works Department does not endorse this product. We provide this link as additional information for the general public
The City of Glendale works cooperatively with the County of Los Angeles Flood Control operation and we support the County’s efforts to maintain facilities and provide protections during storm events.
They have also been providing Post-fire Mudflow Protection Advice which is free advice that our Los Angeles County Flood Control District offers to homeowners in the vicinity of hillside burn areas. Call (800) 214-4020 for mudflow protection advice or visit www.ladpw.org for updates.
