LAST UPDATED: June 17, 2024
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hurricane season is in progress and cities across the Rio Grande Valley are preparing by handing out free sandbags to residents.
The following list are cities who have confirmed they will be handing out sandbags.
Alamo
The City of Alamo will be distributing free sandbags to residents who require special assistance that are 60 years or older, or a person with a disability can request a purple voucher.
The purple voucher can be taken to Alamo Public Works located on 803 S. Tower Rd. where a public works crew member will assist in loading sandbags into a vehicle.
Alamo Public Works will be open to people with purple vouchers until 6:30 p.m. and Alamo City Hall will be open until 6 p.m.
There is a five bag limit per residence and two bags per business.
Brownsville
The City of Brownsville will be handing out sandbags Tuesday at two locations. The Engineering and Public Works Department is providing six free sandbags per household/business to help prepare for the upcoming rainfall.
Distributions will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the following locations:
- 298 McNair Family Drive (formerly E. Fronton), Brownsville, Texas 78526
- Public Works Office Building C, Jaime J. Zapata Ave, Brownsville, Texas 78520
Sandbags will be available until supplies last. residents are asked to bring a utility bill to be eligible to receive sandbags.
Edinburg
The City of Edinburg is extending its free sandbag distribution to Tuesday, June 18 .
Edinburg residents can fill their sandbags between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Edinburg Service Center located on 1201 N. Doolitte Rd.
Residents can fill up to six bags per household and eight bags for business.
Unlimited sand will be provided to residents who bring their own bag to fill up.
A utility bill or identification showing proof of residency is required.
Harlingen
The City of Harlingen will be hosting a free sandbag distribution from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 18.
Sandbags can be picked up from the Public Works Yard located on 404 S. 54th St.
Residents that provide a proof of residency including a utility bill or driver’s license will receive up to six bags per household and 10 bags per business.
Special assistance will be available to residents who are unable to pick up sandbags by requesting a delivery arrangement.
Assistance and arrangements can be made by contacting the City of Harlingen at (956) 216-5300.
Hidalgo County Precinct 1, 3 and 4
The Hidalgo County Precinct’s 1, 3 and 4 will be distributing sandbags Tuesday, June 18.
Precinct 1 will distribute six bags per vehicle from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hargill Pavilion. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels.
Also in Precinct 1, residents can pick up sandbags from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sunrise Hill Park/Pct. 1 Operations Facility, located at 5230 Mile 11 N, in Mercedes.
In Precinct 3 residents can pick up bags from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at the following locations:
- Sullivan City Substation located on 1429 El Pinto Rd.
- La Homa Road & 107, 2894 W. Mile 7 Rd. in Mission
- La Mansion located on 2401 Moorefield Rd. in Mission
Precinct 3 cities include Mission, Palmhurst, Alton, Palmview, Penitas, La Joya and Sullivan City.
In Precinct 4, residents and businesses can pick up sandbags between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Residents are asked to bring proof of residency, gloves and shovels as this is a self serve drive. Pre-made sandbags will only be provided to those 65 and older or those with a handicap.
La Feria
The City of La Feria will host a free sandbag distribution Tuesday, June 18.
Residents are allowed to fill up to five bags per household and 10 bags per business.
City officials suggest residents bring their own shovel.
Bags can be picked up between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from the Public Works Warehouse located on 717 W. 1st St.
Residents and businesses owners must show proof of residency through a utility bill or driver’s license.
McAllen
McAllen Public Works crew members will be offering free sandbags this week in preparation of the heavy rainfall.
Sandbags will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, June 17 through Wednesday June 19.
Residents can pick up their free sandbags at McAllen Public Works located on 4101 N. Bentsen Rd.
A utility bill or identification showing proof of residency is required.
Mission
Residents can collect their free sandbags from this week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18.
Two sites will be available for the sand bags:
- Speer Memorial Library, 801 E. 12th St.
- Bannworth Park, 1822 N. Shary Road
Shovels, bags, and sand will be provided at the site. Assistance will also be available.
Residents are allowed to fill up to six bags per household and 10 bags per business.
The distribution will continue every Saturday until the end of hurricane season on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Palmhurst
The City of Palmhurst will hand out free sandbags bags from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week.
Residents can pick up their bags Monday, June 17 through Tuesday, June 18.
Sandbags will be distributed at Faith Baptist Church located on 4301 N. Shary Rd.
Palmhurst will allow residents to fill up to six bags per residence and eight bags per business.
A utility bill or identification showing proof of residency is required.
Pharr
The City of Pharr will be distributing free sandbags at two locations on Tuesday, June 18.
The sandbag distributions will take place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Residents can fill their bags at the following locations:
- Pharr EMS Headquarters located on 3000 N Cage Blvd.
- Development & Research Center located on 850 W. Dicker Rd.
Six sandbags will be available for each household and 12 bags will be available for businesses.
Bags, shovels and assistance will be provided.
Residents and businesses owners must show proof of residency through a utility bill or driver’s license.
Rio Grande City
The Rio Grande City Fire Department and Emergency Management will be hosting a free sandbag distribution this week.
Starting Monday, June 17 through Tuesday, June 18, residents can fill up their bags from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 632 W. Eisenhower Rd.
There will be five sandbags per household and 10 sandbags per business.
A utility bill or identification showing proof of residency is required.
San Juan
The City of San Juan will be issuing sandbags Tuesday, June 18, beginning at 9 a.m. for San Juan residents only at the following locations while supplies last:
- Old Recycling Center – 323 W 1st. St.
Residents must show proof of residency, including a valid ID or a current utility bill. Sandbag distribution will be limited to six sandbags per resident and 10 for business.
South Padre Island
Sandbags will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 18 at the Public Works Workshop located at the corner of West Venus and Laguna Boulevard.
Business will be allowed 10 bags per property and residents will be allowed five bags.
Weslaco
Free sandbags are available to Weslaco residents starting Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21.
Residents with a proof of residency can pick up their sandbags any day this week between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Weslaco City Hall located on 255 S. Kansas Ave.
Willacy County
The Willacy County Sheriff’s Office has provided details on Tuesday, June 18 sandbag distributions for residents who live outside the city limits of Lyford, Raymondville and San Perlita.
Residents can visit the following locations to fill up their sandbags:
Precinct 1 Headquarters
- Precinct 1 Barn: 11571 Highway 186, Raymondville, Tx (Between 8 a.m. and noon)
- Lasara Community Center: 6276 6th St, Lasara, Tx (Between 1 and 5 p.m.)
Precinct 2 Headquarters
- 20764 Highway 186, San Perlita, Tx (Between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Precinct 3 Headquarters
- 10588 Business 77, Lyford, Tx (From 8 a.m. until sand runs out)
Precinct 4 Headquarters
- 3740 Spence Rd, Sebastian, Tx (Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
There is a four bag limit per household and business.
This list will be updated as cities announce their plan for a sandbag distribution
