STORM: Residents pile up on free sandbags

Updated Dec. 11, 9:46 a.m.–
“Load your own” sandbag locations in Citrus Heights have been busy this week, with shovel-ready residents stopping by through Wednesday to load up on free sand in preparation for heavy rains and high winds hitting the area this week.

“This is definitely going to be a lifesaver,” said 29-year-old Delorean Walton, who was out Tuesday helping his mom fill sandbags, saying they’ve had some close calls with flooding in the past. “It was nice they put the piles out here early.”

Although free for Citrus Heights residents, volunteer Sarah Clement was on scene checking ID’s Tuesday, saying more than a few people were turned away for coming from outside the city limits.

The first-time volunteer also said the “steady stream” of sandbaggers had been “remarkably kind” all day at the McDonald Field location.

“Everybody’s been really nice and helpful,” Clement said, noting a man who returned to donate some cut-off traffic cones to help others funnel sand into the narrow bag openings. “A couple of people have even come and volunteered to help senior citizens load bags.”

The City’s Management Analyst Regina Cave said due to weight considerations, residents will be limited to 10 bags for those with cars and small trucks — although she said larger trucks will be allowed to take more, if needed. She also recommended residents take a shovel along, as bags and sand at the two locations are provided by the City, but shovels aren’t guaranteed.

Cave said the City is also urgently looking for volunteers willing to check ID’s and monitor supplies at the sandbag locations, as she said they currently do not have enough man-power to stay open after 5 p.m.

Those interested in volunteering at the sandbag stations are invited to call (916) 727-4736. Other sandbag or storm-related questions should be directed to the general services main line at (916) 727-4770.

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<<For more storm-related tips, see story: “City gears up for storm; offers preparation tips for residents”>>

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Citrus Heights sandbag locations and hours (December 2014):

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until supplies run out (Update: Citrus Heights police tweeted an update Thursday morning saying that sandbag stations “will remain closed until further notice.” An employee at Lowe’s said their Citrus Heights location was also out of sandbags as of Wednesday evening, although other hardware stores may have bags in stock. Follow The Sentinel on Facebook or Twitter for local updates.)

McDonald Field (at the corner of Old Auburn and Antelope Road).

C-Bar-C Park (off Oak Avenue, just East of Fair Oaks Boulevard).