Sandbags: prepping for potential flooding in the Northstate

NORTHSTATE, Calif. — Flood watches were in effect across the Northstate as wet weather is expected to pound the area on Wednesday and Thursday.

In the aftermath of a powerful atmospheric river that drenched Northern California over New Year’s weekend, and with more wet weather headed to the area there are a few things you can do to prepare.

There are many locations in the Northstate offering sandbag filling stations.However, much like the City of Redding's Corp. Yard, many county and city locations require you bring your own bags and shovel.

RELATED CONTENT |Sandbag/sand pile locations in Shasta County

Axner Excavating, Inc.in Redding is one of many locations sandbags can be purchased. The store's manager, Tony Bernard, described the sandbagging process to KRCR.

"We get some sand; we put it in the hopper, it goes down the hopper, goes through the belt, where it loads up the bag. That guy takes it from there, puts it on a conveyor belt, goes down to the sewing machine, goes through the sewing machine, and then the stacker guy gets it and he takes it off and places it on the pallet and stacks it up."

Bernard said, on average, empty bags run about $0.90, or you can get a full sandbag for about $3.00.

A single sandbag is $2.90, for a single one, but if you have big problems and need a lot of them...we do sell them by the pallet. And there are 50 on a pallet, which drops the price down to $2.10 per sandbag.

Whether you choose to pack your own or buy a prepacked, one thing is for certain, residents will need to be prepared for the possible flooding affecting various areas of the Northstate this week.

"Redding in the wintertime, we are going to get a lot of rain. It [doesn't] matter what you do—try to be prepared. Dig out and try to divert your water to where you need it to go. If not, then sandbags [are] the way to do it."

The bottom line is, it's important to know what items you need prior to arriving at free sand locations. And, if you want to keep it simple, sandbags and sand can also be purchased at several other landscaping supply companies.

--

Sandbag Filling Locations in Shasta County (Update: Jan. 3, 2022):

Bella Vista:

• Bella Vista Fire Station Company 33
• 2202 Highway 299E
• Contact: (530) 225-2418
• Info: west side of fire station, next to propane tank; bags available inside fire station.

Burney:

• Burney Fire District
• 20509 Shasta Street
• Contact: (530) 245-6070
• Info: northwest of the substation; bags available next to the garbage.

City of Redding (Location 1):

• Vacant Lot N. of Big League Dreams
• 20155 Viking Way
• Info: shovel/bags required.

City of Redding (Location 2):

• Fire Station #4
• 2605 South Bonnyview Road
• Info: shovel/bags required.

City of Anderson:

• Across from City Cord. Yard
• Barney Street

French Gulch:

• French Gulch Fire Station Company 59
• 12363 Cline Gulch Road
• Contact: (530) 335-2418
• Info: bags available inside fire station.

Palo Cedro:

• Palo Cedro Fire Station Company 32
• 9418 Deschutes Road
• Contact: (530) 225-2418
• Info: edge of driveway at far west end of the parking lot by the garage; bags available inside fire station.

Shingletown:

• Shingletown Volunteer Fire Station #20
• 32249 Highway 44
• Contact: (530) 225-2418
• Info: bags available inside fire station.

West Redding:

• CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit Station #58
• 16064 Homestake Road
• Contact: (530) 225-2418
• Info: east end of facility past all the buildings; bags available next to the sand.

--

To report errors or issues with this article please email the editorial team.