Yuma County preps for weekend storms

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - With heavy rain and strong winds expected to hit the Desert Southwest this weekend, local departments across Yuma are helping residents get ahead of the storms.

With harsh storms expected across the county this weekend, Yuma County residents are being encouraged to take proper precautions now before it's too late.

Multiple departments across the county have opened sandbag stations to help residents protect their homes from potential flooding.

The City of Yuma is offering self-serve sandbags at the Civic Center, while the Yuma County Public Works Main building and San Luis Fire Station 1 also set up stations. 

City of Yuma Public Works Director Joel Olea said the service has become a vital way for residents to prepare for possible flooding.

"This sandbag operation is critical to the Yuma residents. We started this probably about five years ago. And so we're starting to make this a regular habit for residents to come and help themselves to be prepared. Just in case if there’s any localized flooding in the area," Olea explained.

For some residents, preparing means protecting areas of their homes that could be vulnerable to even a small amount of water.

Yuma resident Martin Marquez said his home's layout makes it particularly susceptible to water entering through the garage, prompting him to take advantage of the city's sandbag station.

"My house does not have a curb and the garage is even with the street. Any amount of water can infiltrate there. So I came up here to take advantage of the service provided by the City of Yuma. Filling up my bags. As you can see, I'm sweating. It's a good workout and it's to protect the property," Marquez shared.

County officials are encouraging residents to plan ahead and take steps now to protect themselves and their home ahead of this weekend’s storms.