Filled bags of earth material will deteriorate quickly. Untreated bags or any kind of bags can be used in emergencies. A sandy soil is most desirable for filling sandbags but any other available material such as silt, clay, gravels or a mixture of these may be used. Sand is a pervious material and additional weight is obtained when the soil in the sack gets saturated, and sand filled sacks shape really well. Clay materials are difficult to fill bags with and are difficult to shape.
Gravels are too pervious and are very difficult to shape.
In emergencies, when vehicle access is cut off, use the back side of the levee or adjacent dry field to obtain the sandbag material. Sandbag berms can easily be constructed by two people, as most individuals have the physical capability to carry a sandbag weighing approximately 40 pounds. Tied bags can be filled more, but leave enought neck so that it can be tied properly. Back to Top Emergency Management Home Page How to Fill a Sandbag Normally filling sandbags is a two or three person operation. One member of the team should place the bottom of the empty bag on the ground slightly in front of wide spread feet with arms extended.