Larimer County is working in collaboration with the American Red Cross and the Fort Collins based nonprofit disaster relief organization SERVE 6.8 to provide free, filled sandbags to flood and fire survivors.
The county implemented a free sandbag program, with funding assistance from the Red Cross, in 2013 to provide post-fire flood protection to areas impacted by the High Park Fire. The anticipated 2014 snowmelt runoff, expected to peak in late May-early June, may cause minor to moderate flooding in the areas affected by the 2013 flood, and sandbags may be helpful in protecting structures and property in this newly impacted area.
Larimer County will donate sandbags, sand and the sandbag filling machine purchased in 2013 with funds from the Red Cross. SERVE 6.8 will manage the program, coordinate volunteers and property owners requesting sandbags, and will be scheduling convenient staging areas for filled sandbag pickup.
Information for how to construct proper sandbag protection can be found at www.larimer.org/flooding2013 and click the ‘2014 Riverwatch: Flood Preparedness’ tab in the right hand column.
SERVE 6.8 plans to kick off the program by providing sandbags in the Estes Park area on April 12 and 19 at the west end of Fish Hatchery Road, just north of the Town of Estes Park’s Historic Fall River Hydroplant at 1754 Fish Hatchery Rd. The Town of Estes Park will provide sand for the local operation. Other locations for sandbag filling and pickup will be scheduled as requested.
Contact SERVE 6.8 at 970-231-6445 or email [email protected] to volunteer or request sandbags.