At this point we’ve all heard to get sandbags in case of spring flooding so here’s some tips from Uintah County Emergency Preparedness when it comes to using sandbags. When filling your sandbags, make sure to only fill them about 2/3 full. When stacking sandbags, use the ratio 3 to 1. Width equals 3 times the height. Build up each layer so that the end of each bag lines up with the middle of the bags below. Think brick laying. Keep your sandbags out of the sun and weather until you need to use them. These bags aren’t meant to stand up to the sun and weather so after a few months they will start to deteriorate. Make sure to put them out right before you will need them. Since the sandbags deteriorate, start thinking about what you will do with the bags once the flooding is over. Consider putting the sand in your yard, garden, or field if they have only been touched with rainwater. The landfill can take the sandbags as well. Uintah County’s goal is to provide sand at the Western Park throughout the flooding season. They’ve done over 20 dump loads of sand so far which is encouraging because it means people are buying sandbags and getting prepared.
