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How to fill and stack sandbags

Flood Fighting: How to Use Sandbags: A detailed guide from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

This document explains how many sandbags you might need and how to fill them, as well as techniques for building a solid wall of sandbags.

Remember, sandbags do not block all water. They can act as a barrier to divert moving water and prevent or reduce flood water. Proper assembly and placement are critical to success in using sandbags as a flood fighting tool.

Sandbag distribution locations

Sandbags at these locations are available for free for all King County residents. Sandbag distribution information is also recorded on the King County Flood Warning Information Line: 206-296-8200 or 800-945-9263. 

Each sandbag distribution location may have different hours of availability and limits to the amount of sandbag materials you can take. Read the chart to learn whether the location nearest you has special rules or if you need to bring your own shovel to scoop sand into the bags. 

Location Distribution site address Availability Additional information
Black Diamond

King County Roads Facility

20827 SE Auburn Black Diamond Road Black Diamond, WA 98010

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day Empty sandbags and sand. Self service, limited to 25 sandbags per vehicle. Bring your own shovel.
Carnation

City of Carnation Public Works

33100 NE 45th Street Carnation, WA 98014

Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Empty sandbags and sand. Self service, limited to 25 sandbags per vehicle. Bring your own shovel.
Fall City

King County Roads Facility

33719 SE 44th Place Fall City, WA 98024

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day
Empty sandbags and sand. Self service, limited to 25 sandbags per vehicle. Bring your own shovel.
North Bend

City of North Bend City Hall

920 SE Cedar Falls Way North Bend, WA 98045

Monday through Thrusday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Empty sandbags and sand. Self-service, shovels available. Please check in at City Hall or the Public Works Shop with a staff member first. Sandbags also available after hours when the Emergency Operations Center is open due to flooding.
Pacific

City of Pacific

130 3rd Ave SE Pacific, WA 98047

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day
Empty sandbags and sand. Self service, limited to 25 sandbags per vehicle. Bring your own shovel.
Redmond

Marymoor Park

6046 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Parking lot G, Redmond, WA 98052

Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
Empty sandbags and sand. Self service, limited to 25 sandbags per vehicle. Located adjacent to Parking Lot G. Drive through open gate into the landscape materials area east of parking lot. Sandbag supplies are located on the south end of the ecology blocks. Bring your own shovel.

Renton

King County Roads Facility

3021 NE 4th St Renton, WA 98056

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day

Along Jefferson Ave NE adjacent to Renton Transfer Station.

Empty sandbags and sand. Self service, limited to 25 sandbags per vehicle. Bring your own shovel.

Seattle

Helene Madison Pool

13401 Meridian N Seattle, WA 98133

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day
Sandbags available October 15th -  March 15th. Limited to 25 per household or business.
 Seattle

Meadowbrook Community Center

10517 35th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98125

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day Sandbags available October 15th - March 15th. Limited to 25 per household or business. 
Seattle

South Park Neighborhood

731 S. Sullivan Seattle, WA 98108

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day
Sandbags available October 15th -  March 15th. Limited to 25 per household or business.
Skykomish

King County Roads Facility

74212 Old Cascade Highway Skykomish, WA 98288

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day
Self service, limited to 25 sandbag per vehicle. Bring your own shovel.
Snoqualmie

City of Snoqualmie

38190 SE Mill Pond Road Snoqualmie, WA 98065

Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. 24 hours a day during flood conditions. Empty sandbags and sand provided, bring your shovel. For more information call: Snoqualmie Public Works 425-831-4919, during emergency conditions: Emergency Operations Center 425-888-5911.
Vashon Island

Vashon Island Fire and Rescue property operated by King County Roads

10019 SW Bank Road Vashon, WA 98070

Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day Self-service, limited to 25 sandbag per vehicle. Bring your own shovel.

The City of Issaquah provides sandbags to residents of Issaquah. Check with your jurisdiction for sandbag availability. Sandbags can also be purchased at many home improvement stores.

After a flood, you are responsible for removing sandbags on your property. Your city or neighborhood may have rules about how to remove and dispose of sandbags. It is important to follow your local rules about sandbag disposal to protect the environment. Information on how to dispose of both clean and contaminated sand can be found on the King County Solid Waste Division website

Volunteer opportunities

Distribution operations are managed directly by local jurisdictions and community groups. If you’d like to support sandbag distribution, contact your local group on the Sandbag Distribution Locations chart above to ask about potential volunteer opportunities.  

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