Vista officials are making free sand and empty sandbags available to residents as the city prepares for El Niño conditions and the possibility of heavy rainfall in the coming months.
Residents can obtain unfilled sandbags at the Public Works Yard located at 1165 E. Taylor Street, building A, during weekday hours from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The bags are also distributed at Vista Fire Rescue open house events throughout the year.
Sand for filling the bags can be picked up at the yard located behind the city's Hazardous Waste Yard. City officials emphasized that the complimentary sand is intended only for use with the sandbags distributed by city personnel. The sand is accessible during regular business hours on a first-come, first-served basis while inventory remains.
The sandbag distribution program will continue to operate through February 2027, giving residents an extended window to prepare their properties for potential flooding or water damage during storm events.