Coconino News

The Coconino County Flood Control District (District) has set up several sandbag stations in the Pipeline Fire Area for residents to install around their homes in preparation of post-wildfire flooding.

Sandbags and sandbag materials are currently available at the Copeland Detention Basin, the entrance of which is located just off of Hwy 89 at Copeland Lane.

The Copeland Detention Basin has both a self-serve sandbag station and pre-made sandbags. The self-serve station includes empty sandbags and fill material. 

 Important: Residents are asked to bring their own shovels and/or buckets to help them make sandbags at the self-serve sandbag station.

 To reach the self-serve sandbag station in the Copeland Detention Basin: 

• Turn onto Copeland Lane off of Hwy 89
• Turn north into the first entrance. Signage is in place to help vehicles navigate through the one-way, self-service station and exit through a separate opening

 To reach the pre-made sandbags in the Copeland Detention Basin:

• Turn onto Copeland Lane off of Hwy 89
• Take the westernmost (third) entrance and proceed to the sandbag stockpile 
• Vehicles are advised to exercise caution through this area as vehicles must use the same route to both enter and exit this area

 The District also has set up two self-serve sandbag stations at E. Brandis Way, one near Hwy 89 and one at Brandis Way and Ostrich Lane. Another station is located in the parking lot of the Silver Saddle Store at 9001 Hwy 89. Additional self-serve sandbag stations are scheduled to be open in Timberline and Wupatki Trails by Monday afternoon. Please note that the District is unable to load sandbags into private vehicles with forklifts, etc. for liability and insurance reasons.

Although the District has significantly ramped up sandbag production, please note that the supply of sandbags is extremely limited right now due to high demand. Given this limited stockpile, please also note that sandbags are intended solely for mitigating flood risk to primary residences, and should not be used for outbuildings, corrals, etc. 

 For more information including a video of how to create a sandbag wall, please visit www.coconino.az.gov/2936/Sandbag-Information. Residents who are unable to install their emergency sandbag mitigation due to being elderly or having a disability should contact the Call Center at 928-679-8525.

 Sandbagging volunteers are needed right now. Anyone interested in volunteering to assist with sandbag production and placement, including organizations – sports teams, scouting, church groups, and other volunteer organizations – please sign up to volunteer via United Way of Northern Arizona’s Volunteer Hub at United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) Volunteer Hub .

Original source can be found here.