El Nino Drenches: Where to Find Sandbags in Sonoma County

(How to fill and use sandbags, via California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection)

SONOMA COUNTY-If you’re in need of some sandbags, here are locations where the bags can be found throughout Sonoma County:

City of Sonoma:

City of Sonoma offers free sandbags for residents who reside within City limits. During the days leading up to a forecasted major storm event, sandbags are available at City Hall between the hours of 8am-noon and 1pm-5pm Monday through Friday.

Sand is located at Depot Park, which is located in the 200 block of First Street West. You must provide your own shovel. The sand has been stored outdoors and could be wet, so the sandbags may be heavy and muddy to transport.

The City-provided sand at Depot Park should only be used to fill sandbags (not taken in bulk).

There is a limit of ten (10) bags per address for City residents only. Additional sandbags can be purchased from Friedman Brothers hardware store or other sources. City-provided sandbags are only intended for very minor flood protection.

City of Rohnert Park

The City’s Public Works Department will have free sandbags available at two locations:

• City of Rohnert Park Corporate Yard, 600 Enterprise Drive (near railroad track)
• Callinan Sports and Fitness Center, 5405 Snyder Lane (rear of parking lot)

Residents requested to limit to 25 bags per household. Sandbags will be available 48 hours prior to a likely storm event between 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and weekends if storms are eminent. For questions on sandbag distribution, please call the Public Works Department at (707) 588-3300.

Storm Preparedness information can be found on the Rohnert Park website at http://www.rpcity.org/index.aspx?page=1002.

City of Cotati: The City's self-serve sand bag station is open. Information on the station and storm FAQs is located on the City's website at http://ci.cotati.ca.us/docs/storm-emergency-faq.pdf.

The station is located at 1 Trebino Court off of Blodgett Street on a first come basis.

There is a limit of 25 bags per resident. The City does not place or deliver sand bags on private property.

City of Petaluma: During some flood events sand and sandbags are made available from an unmanned station located at the end of Hopper Street. Shovels are provided for you to bag your own sand.

City of Healdsburg: Cerri Building 3 North Street, 707-431-3346

For other locations, the County suggests you call your local fire department.

(Image via ShutterStock)