At the inaugural giveaway at Marina Green over the weekend, approximately 800 sandbags were handed out by noon, according to reports, forcing organizers to bring in additional supplies before the 2 p.m. cutoff. The city plans to continue the Saturday distributions through December 5 in flood-prone neighborhoods, aiming to make storm preparation more accessible than requiring residents to travel to a central depot.

Supervisor Stephen Sherrill urged residents not to underestimate the threat. "It's not a question of if flooding will come, it's when," Sherrill said. "The only way to do that is be prepared."

The giveaways are limited to 10 sandbags per address, and residents must provide proof that they live or operate a business in San Francisco. Public Works officials also asked people to be mindful of how many bags they take, prioritizing properties that have flooded in previous years.

Many residents said they planned to use the sandbags to keep water out of garages or to prevent runoff from traveling between properties on sloped streets. "We can't prevent the rain, but we can redirect the water," resident George Young told reporters.

The next giveaway is scheduled for November 14 at the Sunset Circle Parking Lot at Sunset Boulevard and Lake Merced Boulevard. On November 21, sandbags will be available at both the Marina Green Triangle at Marina Boulevard and Marina Green Drive, and the Ocean Beach Parking Lot near Balboa Street and Stairwells 4–7 along the Great Highway. The final neighborhood events are set for December 5 on Sherman Street between Folsom and Harrison streets, and at the Fire Training Center at 19th and Folsom streets. All giveaways run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents can also pick up sandbags year-round at the Public Works Operations Yard at the Kansas and Marin streets gate, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Fire Department, and Recreation and Park Department are participating in the effort.

The city's preparations come as the National Weather Service extended a coastal flood advisory through Friday, warning of unusually high tides and localized flooding in low-lying coastal and bayshore areas from Sonoma County to Monterey County. The advisory cautions that high tides could cause up to 1.6 feet of flooding, with possible road closures and coastal erosion. Residents are urged to allow extra travel time, anticipate closures, and never drive through standing water.

Last month, Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a local emergency to fast-track funding for storm supplies and neighborhood preparations. The elevated sea levels are being driven in part by El Niño-related ocean warming and powerful underwater Kelvin waves traveling up the Pacific coast, with even higher tides expected around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The neighborhood-based distribution model reflects a push to reach residents where they are, particularly in areas with a history of flooding. As climate-driven extreme weather intensifies, city officials say the sandbags are a small but critical tool for protecting homes and businesses.