Ventura County residents should take extra precautions while driving on the road this weekend as weather officials are predicting a major storm system full of gusty winds and intense rainfall.

Bill Hoffer, a spokesperson for the National Weather Service, said that local coastal areas and valleys- including Simi Valley, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks- will likely receive about six inches of rain over the course of the weekend through Sunday night.

"It's one major system that will come in three waves," Hoffer said. "But it's generally par for the course. We can expect this type of system during this time of the year."

The first wave of the storm is forecast to subside by Friday morning, giving way to the second and strongest wave that is projected to continue through Saturday morning. Local residents can expect to see heavy Pacific rains throughout most of southwestern California, Hoffer said.

The third wave of the storm, beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing through Sunday night, will have weaker rains but will bring in colder temperatures for the rest of the week.

"We look for the possibility of isolated thunderstorms, gusty winds and choppy seas," Hoffer said. "They're generally winter conditions."

Capt. Barry Parker of the Ventura County Fire Department said residents can best prepare for the coming storm by having sandbags ready in case of emergencies, staying out of the water and allowing plenty of extra time for traveling.

"Basically we haven't had rain like this in two years," Parker said. "A lot of people have forgotten what it's like."

Parker estimated that the number of collisions could as much as double for Ventura County during heavy rains, particularly because drivers don't slow down on slippery roads.

He said a good rule of thumb for drivers to follow is to avoid driving through areas where the water looks like it is deeper than six inches.

As a precaution, the fire department has equipped several of its stations throughout the county with emergency sandbags and has increased staffing to prepare for the rainy weekend, Parker said.

For more information on rain and flood preparedness or for a list of retailers who sell sand and sandbags, visit the website fire.countyofventura.org.