As the city’s flood fight continues, officials say over four million sandbags need to be filled by Thursday. Officials say volunteers are the key to getting these sandbags filled and in place.
“We appreciate all the help, but in order to cut down on the amount of time people are waiting for sandbags, we need more volunteers to help,” says Bismarck Police Lt. Steve Kilde.
More than seven million empty sandbags have arrived at the city’s sandbag sites. Approximately 650,000 sandbags have been filled at the city’s three manned sandbag sites since Tuesday.
“Each sandbag not only needs to be filled and lifted, they also need to be tied. That’s a great job for people of all ages and abilities,” says Kilde.
Volunteers should report to one of the city’s three manned sites:
• Missouri Valley Fairgrounds (3805 E. Bismarck Expressway) - open 24 hours a day.
• Sandbag Central South Northern Plains Commerce Center (1901 Northern Plains Drive) - open 24 hours a day.
• Sandbag Charlie (521 South 22nd Street) – open 24 hours
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Self-fill Sites are located at the following sites:
• Horizon Middle School (500 Ash Coulee Drive)
• Santa Fe Avenue, Cottonwood Complex west of South 12th Street
• Whispering Bay Subdivision, Shoreline Circle
• 48th Avenue and Sibley Drive (this site was previously located at Sibley Drive and Hester Drive)
• Ponderosa Park
• Hogue Road
Volunteers should bring a shovel and gloves. Volunteers must register before they begin filling sandbags. Parental consent is required for those under age 18. Consent forms are available at both Sandbag Central and Sandbag Central South.