The arrival of El Paso's monsoon means an increase in thunderstorm activity, and while we don't get much rain here in the desert, often times when we do get it, we get a lot of it at once.

And that can often times lead to flooding.

If you live in a low lying area, by an arroyo or on land that is prone to flooding, sand bags are one way to keep the water out of your home or property. Now is the time to proactively prepare for the inevitable storm event. Here is where to get free sand bags in and around our area.

City of El Paso

El Paso Water will make sandbags available from July 6 until the end of September at the Stormwater Operations Center, 4801 Fred Wilson, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The limit is 10 sandbags per visit. You will need to show a Texas ID or an El Paso Water bill to get sandbags.

The satellite sandbag locations in other parts of town will not open this year in the interest of minimizing the possibility of employee exposure to COVID-19.

El Paso County

If you live outside city limits, El Paso County Public Works has sand bags piled on pallets outside of the two Road & Bridge warehouses listed below available 24 hours a day. There is bag limit of 15 per household.

• Road & Bridge Fabens Warehouse, 1331 N. Fabens St., Fabens, TX [Map]
• Road & Bridge Montana Warehouse, 14698 Van Lane, El Paso, TX [Map]

Because of limited space at the Canutillo Warehouse, sandbags will only be put out when heavy rain is expected.

The City of Socorro

Socorro has two locations, each with a 10 bags per address per day limit. You may need to show your Driver License with current address or a utility bill.

• Socorro Recycling Center
241 Old Hueco Tanks Rd.
Mon - Fri 8 AM- 5 PM
(915) 858-1114

• Rio Vista Community Center
901 N. Rio Vista Rd.
Mon - Sunday, open 24/7 (They have a smaller supply available because of space)
(915) 860-8615

Village of Vinton

Vinton residents can pick up sandbags at Vinton City Hall, 436 E. Vinton Rd. Limit is 8 bags per household.

Get our free mobile app

KEEP READING: Scroll to see what the big headlines were the year you were born

More From 600 ESPN El Paso