Sandbag Locations
Updated 02/09/24
Note: All locations are self serve. Please bring your own shovel.
CORDELIA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Corner of Rockville Rd and Suisun Valley Road
MONTEZUMA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Collinsville Road and Latin Lane
RYER ISLAND
Hwy 220 and Ryer Road East, north of the J-Mack Ferry
SUISUN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
4965 Clayton Road
VACAVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
4135 Cantelow Road (English Hills Station)
DIXON FIRE DISTRICT and CITY OF DIXON
Sand bags are located at the Dixon Fire Station, 205 Ford Way. Sand is available in the parking lot at the northwest corner of A Street and Jackson Street.
CITY OF BENICIA
Corporation Yard located at 2400 East Second Street East E Street parking lot (across the street from Benicia Yacht Club)
CITY OF FAIRFIELD
Public Works Corporation Yard – 420 Gregory Street, (Mon-Thurs. 7:30 am-4:30 pm) *empty sandbags Southeast corner of parking lot at Allen Witt Park (Enter at Woolner) sand only Corner of Pittman and Cordelia roads (inside unlocked fenced area) sand only ***all locations have a 10 bag limit – self serve bring own shovel
CITY OF RIO VISTA
Sand and sandbags are available on Front Street, at the promenade across from the Chevy dealership.
CITY OF SUISUN
701 Civic Center Blvd, behind police department
CITY OF VACAVILLE
Irene Larson Park, 1800 Alamo Drive (please bring proof of residence and shovel) Various city locations may be made available if flooding occurs.
CITY OF VALLEJO
Sandbags located west end of street at Vallejo Flood & Wastewater District, 450 Ryder Street. To report flooding, call 644-8949 at any time. For more info, visit www.vallejowastewater.org
Sandbagging
The use of sandbags is a simple, but effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage. Properly filled and placed sandbags can act as a barrier to divert moving water around instead of through buildings. Sandbag construction does not, however, guarantee a water tight seal.
The most commonly used bags are untreated burlap sacks available at feed or hardware stores. Empty bags can be stockpiled for several years if properly stored. Filled bags of earth material will deteriorate quickly.
A heavy bodied or sandy soil is most desirable for filling sandbags, but any usable material at or near the site has definite advantages. Fine sand could leak out through the weave in the bag. To prevent this, double bag the material. Gravelly or rocky soils are generally poor choices because of their permeability characteristic.
Sandbag barriers can easily be constructed by two people, as most individuals have the physical capabilities to carry or drag a sandbag weighing around 30 pounds.
Filling Sandbags
How to Fill a Sandbag Video
Filling Sandbags is a two-person operation. One member of the team places the empty bag between or slightly in front of widespread feet with arms extended. The throat of the bag is folded to form a collar and held with the hands in position. The other team member carefully empties a rounded shovel full of material into the open end. The person holding the sack should be standing with knees slightly flexed and head and face as far away from the action of the shovel as practical. The use of safety goggles and gloves is desirable and sometimes necessary.
Placing Sandbags
- Remove any debris from the area where bags are to be placed.
- Place the half-filled bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of water flow.
- If tied bags are used, flatten them and flare the tied end. If untied bags are used, fold the open end to form a triangle.
- Place succeeding bags on the folded or flared portion of the previous bag and stamp into place to eliminate gaps and to form a tight seal.
- Stagger the joint connections when multiple layers are necessary.