News Story Archive

Corps Provides Sandbag Training for Communities

By PAO
Published July 1, 2012
The prepared sandbags are stacked by participating community members.

The prepared sandbags are stacked by participating community members.

Catron county community members practice filling sandbags with the help of Corps employees.

Catron county community members practice filling sandbags with the help of Corps employees.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offered hands-on sandbag training and emergency flood preparedness at the City Park in Glenwood, N.M., June 9 and 16. The training was open to residents of Catron County communities, as that area has the potential to experience flooding during the upcoming monsoon season in the aftermath of prolonged burning by fires.

More than 90 community members and local emergency responders participated with Corps’ employees in a demonstration showing proper sandbag filling, placement and other emergency management procedures.

In particular, Justin Riggs of the District’s Regulatory Division talked about emergency permits and Hydrologist Steve Boberg spoke about potential debris flows following a fire. The Readiness Contingency Operations Section was represented by Cheryl Buckel and Don Gallegos, who demonstrated sandbagging techniques and reminded people that "knowing what to do and having a plan in place when severe weather strikes will help protect you and your loved ones." A Corps team will return to look at vulnerable locations and help identify emergency preparedness measures.

The Corps assists the Departments of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and our employees stay prepared for when severe weather strikes.