In recent years, heavy rainfall and flooding are common in San Diego. Heavy rainfall and consecutive flooding can cause serious damage to the house or property and needs immediate attention. There are some temporary solutions you can take to divert the water flow to not do any hamper to house or property such as cleaning the debris on the drains, canals, putting some sandbags to deviate the water. But the question is how can you get sandbags. There are both paid and free options. We are going to discuss both.

Buying sandbags is not a good option since it can cost you $$$. The price of a single sandbag is very low but you are not going to deviate the water flow using a single sandbag, right? So, you may need to buy a lot of sandbags and that will cost you money. Better opt for sandbags that are freely distributed or can be picked up easily.

Almost every year prior to storm surge, heavy rainfall or flood the county of San Diego offers free sandbags to its residents. The number of sandbags per person varies from 5 to 10. The number of sandbags offered is not too much but still, it helps.

The Public Works Department of San Diego also offers free sandbags during heavy rainfall season. Usually, they are kept at fire stations. The number is limited per person but you can get it for free!! Last year they distributed 10 bags per person. If you have family, tell your family members to join you collecting sandbags from nearby fire stations.

So, I guess you understood how you can get free sandbags, but where to get sand?

There are many locations where you can get sand for free. The county declares dozens of location and you need to take your sandbags there. There are several options based on the locations. Some of them will offer free labor but most of them are not. So, better manage a shovel by yourself and be ready to do some extra work to protect your sweet home. Please keep in mind, there may have certain terms and conditions of picking up sand from a location. Read it carefully, before approaching. This may help you understand why they are allowing you to take sand, are they providing any labor service, is it need to be paid, is there any specific timing of collecting sand and so on. Protecting your property is important to you, not to others. Do not forget to say a big ‘Thanks’ to them who is providing you the support of free sandbags or sand.

After putting the sand it, place the sand-filled bags in proper locations. Water usually flow in gravity direction and you need to know where there is some possibility of erosion. Try to protect that area using sand-filled bags and you are done with saving you valuable property temporarily.