Winter weather preparedness
Get Ready for Winter
Free sandbags and sand are available to City of Santa Cruz residents and businesses. Prepare before heavy rain arrives to help protect doors, garages, and other low-lying entry points.
Free Sandbag Filling Events
Join City staff and volunteers to fill sandbags ahead of winter storms. Sand, empty bags, and shovels will be provided. Drive up, fill your bags and go. Page last updated 10/19/2026.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 · 5–7 p.m.
Near Beach Flats Park
133 Leibrandt Avenue, Santa Cruz
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 · 5–7 p.m.
Fire Station 2
1103 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz
Can't attend? Seasonal self-service sand is available at the locations below.
Where to Get Sandbags and Sand
Prepare early. You don't need to wait for a storm warning. The City limits supplies to 10 sandbags per household, organization or business to help ensure availability for everyone.
Free sand — fill your own bags
Self-service seasonal, available NOW
Fire Station 2
1103 Soquel Avenue
Behind the station, in the public parking lot
Seasonal · available in November
Harvey West Park
326 Evergreen Street
At the entrance to the Parks Yard
New for 2026–27 · seasonal, available starting 10/28/26
Near Beach Flats Park
133 Leibrandt Avenue
Bring empty sandbags and a shovel for self-service filling. Availability may change during the season.
Free empty sandbags — pick-up locations
Fire Administration Office
230 Walnut Street
Monday–Thursday
8 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m.
London Nelson Community Center
301 Center Street
Monday–Saturday
9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Nueva Vista Community Resources
133 Leibrandt Avenue
Empty sandbag pickup hours
Monday–Friday: 1–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: noon–3 p.m.
Live outside Santa Cruz city limits? Find sandbag resources in Santa Cruz County
How to Properly Fill and Place Sandbags
Fill bags to the right level
Fill bags partway so they can lie flat. Avoid overfilling or leaving too little sand.
Stack and secure your sandbags
Overlap each bag by half the bag below it.
Tamp down the bags to form a tight seal and check them regularly.
- Bring a friend. Sandbag filling is easier and more efficient with two people. Wear gloves to help prevent blisters.
- Fill bags partway. Fill each bag approximately one-half to two-thirds full so it can lie flat and mold into place. Do not overfill.
- Overlap the bags. Lay rows like brickwork, overlapping each bag by about half the length of the bag below it.
- Make a tight seal. Tamp bags down to reduce gaps, and check water levels and bag conditions regularly.
Help your neighbors. Consider lending a hand to anyone who may need assistance filling, carrying or placing sandbags. Sandbags can help reduce water intrusion, but they cannot guarantee protection from flooding.
Stay Informed and Prepared
Know your flood risk, prepare a household emergency plan, and sign up for local emergency alerts before severe weather arrives.