Free Sandbags Available In Palm Desert During Flood Watch

PALM DESERT, CA — In the time of storms and pounding rain, protecting your homes and property should be at the forefront of your thoughts, says the team at the Emergency Management Department.

To that end, there are free sand and sandbag stations in most major cities across the county.

• Fire Station 81, 137-955 Washington Street, Palm Desert
• Fire Station 69, 171751 Gerald Ford Drive, Rancho Mirage
• Fire Station 89, 172 North Murray Street, Banning
• Fire Station 22, 10055 Avenida MiraVilla, Cherry Valley
• Fire Station 82, 17452 Lake Pointe Drive, Riverside
• Fire Station 64, 125310 Campbell Ranch Road, Corona
• Fire Station 96, 37700 Glen Oaks Road, Temecula

Check with your city to find additional sandbag locations, and remember most stations will only give up to 10 free sandbags per address.

Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, and other hardware stores also carry sandbags, and filling sand stations are set up in many towns.

"Working in pairs, one person should hold a bag open, while another fills with a shovel filled with sand," according to a video shared by the EMD. "Only fill the bag one-third full." Remember to first cover doors, vents, and windows with plywood and plastic if possible, then brace them with sandbags.

Limited quantities of empty sandbags are available at all CALFIRE/Riverside County Fire Stations. Find your nearest Riverside County fire station here.