MARYSVILLE — With the ever-present possibility of periodic rainstorms bearing down on our area and region, the city of Marysville is encouraging its residents and businesses to prepare themselves for bouts of significant rainfall, which can lead to potential flooding, debris flows and mudslides.

The city is now providing free sand and bags for residents to make their own sandbags. The public may pick up sand and bags at the Public Works Building at 80 Columbia Ave. in downtown Marysville during its regular business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at the city’s materials storage site at 100th Street NE and 67th Avenue NE anytime.

Residents must bring a shovel and fill the bags themselves, according to Charlie Burke, the city’s streets and surface water manager. Burke asks that citizens please use standard health safety precautions when filling and lifting bags for transport, and when placing them to divert storm and debris flows away from their homes or property.

Sandbags are used mostly for low-flow protection of up to two feet. Protection from higher flows requires a more permanent type of structure.

For more information, contact Public Works at 360-363-8100.