Arturo Córdoba, a City of Santa Maria employee, demonstrated to residents on Nov. 16 how to fill and stack sandbags for flood protection and announced locations where the city is providing sand.

In a brief demonstration, Córdoba instructed residents to fill each sandbag no more than halfway and to use the bag’s tie to close it securely. "Lo que debes hacer primero es llenar la bolsa de arena no más de la mitad," he said, adding that correct filling makes the bags easier to handle and more effective as a barrier.

On stacking, Córdoba recommended arranging sandbags with three bags stacked vertically and four laid horizontally to form a stable protective barrier: "apilar las 3 hacia arriba y 4 hacia los lados," he said.

Córdoba emphasized that the City of Santa Maria is supplying sand for residents but is not supplying the bags themselves. "Desafortunadamente, la ciudad de Santa María no proporciona las costales o bolsas, pero sí proporcionamos la arena," he said.

He listed sand distribution sites in his remarks, saying they are located "en Carmen Lane, en la calle San Isidro, Sway Crossing y del norte wéstern, aquí en Santa María." The transcript includes the place names as spoken; Carmen Lane and San Isidro Street were clear in the announcement. Residents should treat the other site names as provided by staff and confirm locations on the city website or by calling city offices before visiting.

Córdoba encouraged residents to take advantage of lighter rain to prepare: "tómese el tiempo de venir y llenar sus bolsas de arena," noting that "Nunca sabes cuándo vas a necesitar una bolsa de arena hasta que las necesitas." He closed the demonstration with a brief thank-you.

The city’s instruction clarifies that residents must bring or obtain their own sandbags while the city supplies the sand at designated locations. For confirmed site addresses and hours, residents are advised to consult the City of Santa Maria’s official notifications or contact city staff directly.