COUNTY ADDS MORE SANDBAG PICKUP SITES

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - The heaviest rains of the winter—and maybe the heaviest in several years—set to soak our region over the next several days, bringing flash flooding and erosion problems.

So the County Department of Public Works, along with Cal Fire and the County Fire Authority, has expanded the list of places where residents in unincorporated areas can get free sand and/or bags to help protect their properties.  View the list here:  http://readysandiego.org/flooding/flooding-sand-and-bags-unincorporated.pdf

The expanded list includes 15 fire stations and other spots where residents can get free sand and bags — all you have to do is bring a shovel to fill them — and another 29 stations giving out free bags.

Because different locations are offering sand and bags, just bags, or are asking people to bring shovels to put sand into bags themselves, you should call ahead to check on availability.

Proper use of sandbags can help direct waters away from homes and properties. People who have slopes on their land can use mulch, or terrace their slopes and plant groundcovers and shrubs to keep them from eroding.

For more information about how to be prepared for flooding go to the County Office of Emergency Services at www.ReadySanDiego.org/flooding.