Sandbag locations open to Sacramento County residents

(FOX40.COM) — Three sandbag locations have opened in Sacramento County and are available to residents who would like to protect their homes ahead of heavy rains.

The county said that residents can get up to 20 bags per visit and that they can receive free bags and sand, but will have to bring their own shovels.

Officials recommend that bags from last winter be thrown away if they are deteriorated. Instructions on how to load and use sandbags can be found at this link .

The three locations are operated by the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources and are located at: • Branch Center 3847 Branch Center Rd. • Orangevale Community Center 6826 Hazel Ave. • Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Station #116 7995 Elwyn Ave .

A fourth location has been designated but will only open if needed, county officials said.

The sandbags are available to residents of the county who do not live in one of its seven cities: Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.