The DC Department of Public Works is taking the following actions to prepare for Hurricane Hanna, which is predicted to strike the District Saturday, September 6, in the early morning:

• Making sandbags available Friday, September 5, from noon to 9 pm and Saturday, from 7 am to 6 pm for residents to pick up from 1241 W Street, NE at the salt dome.  Residents must show proof of residence, e.g., driver’s license, passport or other photo identification with the address displayed.   The sandbags are 50 pounds each and will be loaded into residents’ vehicles.  No more than five sandbags will be distributed per vehicle.
• Advising residents with Saturday DPW trash and recycling collections that they should have their trash and recycling containers out for collection no later than 6 am Saturday.  Since wind gusts are predicted to reach 40 to 45 mph, residents are asked to bring their empty containers in once the collection is made to reduce the chance they will blow away.  This week collections are being made on Saturday because Labor Day was celebrated Monday and collections were pushed back one day.

Relocating vehicles that impede DPW or District Department of Transportation (DDOT) crews from removing downed trees or debris that block streets.  Registered owners will not be fined if their vehicle is relocated under these circumstances; however, parking regulations will be enforced for illegally parked vehicles.  If you suspect your vehicle has been towed or to confirm the location of a vehicle, call 311 or go to www.dpw.dc.gov, click on “Parking Enforcement Services” then “Towing and Impoundment” to use DPW's online Towed Vehicle Locator.  You also can contact the District’s Towing Control Dispatch Center at (202) 576.6071. Please note that this number does not accept messages.