The rainy season
A lot of places in the South and West of the US have two seasons yearly: A mainly dry, hot season and a rainy, stormy season.
A subtle sign that the stormy season is approaching is when the notices go up about getting a few sandbags from Public Works.
Free sandbags are available from various local municipalities across California and other regions, typically during storm seasons or in anticipation of heavy rain. San Francisco, residents and businesses can obtain up to 10 free sandbags at the Public Works operations yard. In the Los Angeles region, ready-to-fill sandbags are freely available year-round at Neighborhood Fire Stations, In Texas, El Paso Water provides up to 10 free sandbags per residential customer at its Stormwater Operations Center.
While some locations offer pre-made sandbags, others provide loose sand and empty bags for residents to fill themselves, requiring individuals to bring their own shovel and arrange the transport to their property.
These resources are intended for individuals in areas prone to flooding, such as those with a history of standing water or previous flood damage.
The distribution is often part of broader storm preparedness efforts to reduce potential property damage and ensure community safety.
Beaver style dams, DIY style
The goal is to provide a readily available, low-cost resource for flood mitigation, particularly for properties prone to flooding or those with a history of standing water. By distributing sandbags, cities aim to reduce the risk of property damage and support community-wide preparedness efforts.
However, these supplies are typically intended for emergency use and are often limited to prevent stockpiling, encouraging residents to prepare ahead of time or purchase supplies from local stores.
Building an effective drainage system with sandbags is not a skill many possess and unlike beavers, it doesn’t look like humans have an inherent capacity to tame rain induced water flows.
The effectiveness of sandbags is limited and depends heavily on proper use. They are not designed to create a watertight seal but rather to divert moving water and reduce flood damage.
They are not suitable for stopping large flood surges or standing water. Sandbags degrade over time, especially when exposed to sunlight, and should not be left out all year. Additionally, sandbagging is labor-intensive and can pose safety risks, including strain or injury from lifting heavy bags.
When asked, the local civil engineer told me:
When placed correctly—lengthwise and parallel to the flow of water, with a stable base and no more than two-thirds full. They can help redirect stormwater away from structures like doorways, garages, and basements. Combining sandbags with plastic sheeting or wood barriers can improve their effectiveness.
Their effectiveness is conditional on correct placement, timely deployment, and realistic expectations about their limitations.