Sandbags & Sandbagging:
Fill ‘Em Up, Stack ‘Em, and Build a Wall
The use of sandbags is a simple, but effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage. Properly filled and placed sandbags can act as a barrier to divert moving water around instead of through buildings. Sandbag construction does not, however, guarantee a water tight seal.The most commonly used bags are untreated burlap sacks available at feed or hardware stores. Empty bags can be stockpiled for emergency use and will be serviceable for several years if properly stored. Filled bags of earth material will deteriorate quickly.
A heavy bodied or sandy soil is most desirable for filling sandbags, but any usable material at or near the site has definite advantages , fine sand could leak out through the weave in the bag. To prevent this double bag the material. Gravelly or rocky soils are generally poor choices because of their permeability characteristic.
Sandbag barriers can easily be constructed by two people, as most individuals have the physical capabilities to carry or drag a sandbag weighing around 30 pounds.
Filling Sandbags
Filling sandbags is a two-person operation. One member of the team places the empty bag between or slightly in front of widespread feet with arms extended. The throat of the bag is folded to form a collar and held with the hands in position. The other team member carefully empties a rounded shovel full of material into the open end. The person holding the sack should be standing with knees slightly flexed and head and face as far away from the action of the shovel as practical. The use of safety goggles and gloves is desirable and sometimes necessary.
Placing Sandbags
Remove any debris from the area where bags are to be placed.
Place the half-filled bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of the water flow. Note the correct and incorrect placement.
If tied bags are used, flatten them and flare the tied end.
If untied bags are used. Fold the open end to form a triangle.
Place succeeding bags on the folded or flared portion of the previous bag and stamp into place to eliminate gaps and to form a tight seal.
Stagger the joint connections with multiple layers are necessary.
The preferred height limit for a sandbag levee is three feet, while five feet is the practical limit. For each linear foot of a sandbag wall, the following number of bags may be required:
It is the responsibility of local governments and flood control districts to maintain a supply of sandbags adequate to cover anticipated emergencies.