With flood concerns, several cities and counties are providing free sandbags
With rain and warm temperatures apart of the weather forecast for eastern Idaho, several counties and cities are providing sand and/or sandbags for residents to use. In many cases emergency planners say the move is more of a precaution than necessary. The sandbags are meant to provide extra buffer room if too much water pools on your property.
Below is a list of cities and counties in our region that we called and asked if they have sand or sandbags available. For a few counties, we weren’t able to get an answer before business hours ended. Most other entities answered and provided us with some information. One common theme that people should be aware of, most supplies are only available for people living within the specific jurisdiction.
Bannock County: Available at Road & Bridge Department at 5500 S 5th Ave, Pocatello. Open Monday – Thursday until 4:30 PM.
Bingham County: Bingham County has expanded its sandbag assistance program. Sand bags are now available at the Shelley fire station. Sand is available at the city lot behind Collett’s Bar in Firth. In Blackfoot, the county has moved its sandbags and sand from the Central Transfer Station to Moreland Park. The sandbags and material are available at no cost to county residents.
Bonneville County: Not available. Residents must purchase supplies privately at local stores. Many home improvement and hardware stores do sell sandbags. Idaho Falls residents can pick up sand at Sandy Downs during regular business hours, you just need to bring your own bags or buckets.
Butte County: Has limited bags available on a case-by-case basis. People are asked to contact the county sheriff if they need sandbags at (208) 527-8553.
Caribou County: Sheriff’s office responded to our call, but they couldn’t provide an official answer. Roads department closed just before we called and did not answer.
Clark County: Sheriff’s office responded to our call, but they were unable to provide an official answer. We left a message with the county emergency manager.
Custer County: Left a message with the county, have not heard back at the time of this writing.
Fremont County: Supplies available at Road & Bridge Shop at 2317 E, 400 N in Saint Anthony. People must fill the bags themselves.
Jefferson County: Not available. Residents must purchase their own supplies. County said they do have a reserve for emergencies only.
Lemhi County: Available at county road and bridge department property. 410 S Challis Street, Salmon.
Madison County: Available at Waste Transfer Station in Rexburg. People must fill sandbags themselves.
Pocatello: Sand and sandbags are available for residents at the Street Operations Department shop located at 1080 South 1st Avenue. Residents will be required to fill their own sandbags and are asked to take no more than eight sandbags.
Power County: Not available at the county level. American Falls does provide supplies at back lot by the city golf course. This is only for American Falls City residents.
Teton County, ID: Not available (for now). Currently residents must purchase their own supplies. Teton County provides sand bags only in the event of an official food declaration or emergency.
Teton County, WY: Available at two locations. The first at Teton County Road and Levee at 3190 S Adams Canyon Dr. Call 307-733-7190 ahead of time during business hours to schedule a pickup time. The second at the Jackson City Shops Yard at 450 W Snow King Ave. Call 307-733-3079 ahead of time during business hours to schedule a pick up time.
If your local government does not provide sand bags or doesn’t have enough supplies, most major home improvement stores have supplies available for purchase.
Bonneville County Emergency Management provided the following list of locations to find sand bags and sand to put in them. It is not intended to be either inclusive or a recommendation.
Sand Bags
Ace Hardware / 522-1660 / Ammon
Cal Ranch Store / 523-3359 / Idaho Falls
Home Depot (filled) / 542-5884 / Idaho Falls
Idaho Package Co. / 529-0891 / Idaho Falls
Lowes (filled) / 542-9030 / Idaho Falls
Tom Lugo (local salesman who can order; none stored on premise) / 520-5478 or 715-341-8563 (W)
Volm Bag Co. / 524-0600 / Idaho Falls
Warner & Warner / 431-8492 / Twin Falls
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Options for Sand Purchase
Burns Concrete, Inc. / 643-4209 / 2385 Gallatin St / Idaho Falls
Rocky Mt Supply / 643-5571 / 1500 S. Yellowstone Hwy / Idaho Falls
Golden Crest, Inc. / 524-9002 / 13586 N 45th E / Idaho Falls
Hitt Pit, Inc. / 529-9897 / 2486 N 25th E / Idaho Falls
Hard Rock Gravel / 523-5617 / 1270 E 81st N / Idaho Falls
Valley Ready-Mix / 529-6677 / 2500 W 65th S / Idaho Falls
