Sand Now Available For Flood Damage Control

Update at 5:30 p.m.: In Calaveras County, the Angels Camp Police Department is also making available to the public sand, bags and shovels. Individuals will have to fill the bags. The locations is below:

Angels Camp Police Department
200 Monte Verda Street

Information on sandbags in Tuolumne County area below.

Original post at 3:20 p.m.: Sonora, CA — As the heaviest rains so far this season hit the Mother Lode, government officials say resources are available for residents, free of charge.

In Tuolumne County, sand is available at the following locations 24/7: Columbia Airport (10723 Airport Rd.); Tuolumne Road Yard (18870 Birch St.); Jamestown Road Yard (18188 7th Ave.); Big Oak Flat/Groveland Road Yard (11240 Wards Ferry Rd.).

Residents will need to get and bring their own sandbags and a shovel, as usual.

Due to tree mortality issues, Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services (OES) officials remind folks during the storms to be extremely aware of their surroundings and on the lookout for falling limbs, woody debris and falling trees. Some trees have power and/or communication lines attached to them and should not be approached or touched. Please call PG&E immediately to report downed lines at 800 743-5002 and stay away from the area.

Calaveras County officials share that under a recently implemented policy, sand and bags will be made publicly available when a severe storm presents significant and extensive flooding potential that could be disastrous to life and property.

That means under normal storm events, like the current storm, private property owners should purchase sand and bags as necessary to protect their private property. Officials stress that when emergency conditions warrant, OES and Public Works will deploy sand and bag materials ahead of time — and also release targeted messaging to let the public know of sandbag availability.