MALIBU—The city of Malibu is warning residents that the National Weather Service is expecting a powerful winter storm to deliver heavy rain to the Malibu region starting Tuesday, March 20 until Thursday, March 22. The storm could bring flooding, rock-and mudslides. Early estimates range from 2-4 inches in coastal and valley areas, and to 4-6 inches in foothills and mountains.

The city is offering free sandbags at the Zuma Beach Lifeguard Headquarters and at Fire Stations 70, 88, 71 and 99. Los Angeles County has a map of all locations offering free sandbags. The city of Malibu is alerting residents that plastic sandbags are banned in the region, but jute and burlap sandbags are ok.

According to the city of Malibu website, the city has initiated its storm response plan, which includes Public Works crews inspecting and clearing debris from catch basins, storm drains, culverts, areas known to be prone to flooding and slides, and City roads. The Malibu Department of Public Works will inspect all city stormwater treatment facilities and K-rail and debris walls on canyon roads.

Construction equipment and vehicles such as front-loaders and backhoes will be staged at specific locations to limit response times. K-rails and debris walls along canyon roads will be inspected to ensure they are not overloaded. Storm-related road signs are prepared. City crews will be working around-the-clock during the storm period. For more information for storm details in the Malibu area, visit the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard page. The National Weather Service has warned that recently burn areas like Thomas, Creek and LaTuna are at moderate to high risk of debris flows.

The NWS indicated on its Facebook page, “Major concern for burn areas in Southwest California this week, with flash flood and debris flow potential Tuesday night through Thursday night. Flooding will also be possible outside burn areas – in small streams and urban areas, with ponding water on roadways. Rockfall often occurs in steep canyons during heavy rain events, such as Malibu Canyon in the Santa Monicans.”