County Opens Sandbag Stations Ahead of Expected Storms

Kern County Public Works opened sandbag stations across the county Monday, including three locations in the Kern River Valley, as forecasters warn of heavy rainfall heading toward the region.

Valley residents can pick up sandbags at stations in Lake Isabella, Wofford Heights, and Mountain Mesa. People need to bring their own shovels and buy sandbags from local hardware stores before heading to the stations.

The Lake Isabella station sits north of Kneale Avenue and Suhre Street. In Wofford Heights, the station is off East Evans Road, east of Wofford Heights Park toward the lake. Mountain Mesa's station is on the right heading south at the intersection of Dogwood Avenue and McCray Road.

Kern County Public Works set up nine stations total, with others in Bakersfield, Frazier Park, Lamont, Lebec, McFarland, and Tehachapi.

The county is using Google Maps Plus Codes to help residents find exact locations. The Lake Isabella station code is JGHG+G3C, Wofford Heights is PH42+3CP, and Mountain Mesa is JHMR+P6H.

Storm forecasts have crews preparing for what could be significant rainfall after weeks of dry weather. The county opened the stations to give residents time to protect their properties before the weather moves in.

Residents can get more information at kernpublicworks.com or by following Kern County Public Works on Facebook.

Residents needing sandbags to prepare for flooding can use this link to see directions to the closest location - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1-Sf_PzILnyqI0R9Ff6-Vdc8q5yx-_PM&usp=sharing