MARYSVILLE — With persistent heavy rainfall taking its toll on Marysville and Snohomish County, residents and businesses are encouraged to prepare themselves for an extended forecast that calls for more bouts of rainfall, which can lead to potential flooding, debris flows and mudslides.

The city provides free sand and bags for residents to make their own sandbags. The public may pick up sand and bags at the Public Works Building at 80 Columbia Ave. in downtown Marysville during regular business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other convenient any-hour locations include the city’s materials storage site at 100th Street NE and 67th Avenue NE for central Marysville residents, and city property at 157th Street and Smokey Point Boulevard serving north-end residents.

Streets and Surface Water Manager Charlie Burke explained that residents must bring a shovel and fill the bags themselves. Please use standard health safety precautions when filling and lifting bags for transport, and when placing them to divert storm and debris flows away from your home or property.

Sandbags are basically used for low-flow protection of up to two feet. Protection from higher flows requires a more permanent type of structure.

For more information, contact Public Works at 360-363-8100.