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Westfir council mobilizes sandbag plan as atmospheric river threatens 1st and 2nd Street
Summary
City officials warned of an approaching atmospheric river and organized a volunteer sandbag program after receiving about 175 empty sandbags; hauling sand remains a logistical and modest-cost concern.
The City of Westfir on Wednesday warned residents in the 1st and 2nd Street neighborhoods to prepare for potential flooding after officials said an atmospheric river could bring heavy rain to the Western Oregon coast and push into the town.
"We understood up to 8 inches of rain in a matter of 7 days," the chair said, urging preparedness and coordination with Lane County and state emergency operations. City staff said they have been in touch with Lane County’s emergency operations center and that assistance is being offered.
Councilors said the city received roughly 175 empty sandbags from Lane County (picked up via Oakridge), but that the immediate challenge is hauling sand to fill them. "Oak Ridge Sand And Gravel didn't have anybody to...bring sand over," a council member said, and the council noted they were seeking a contract driver to transport sand to a pile that will be staged at City Hall's west side for volunteers to fill.
Officials estimated hauling and sand costs would likely be modest and hoped to keep expenses to about $500, but emphasized the plan depends on timing and volunteer participation. A councilor offered to recruit neighborhood volunteers once delivery is confirmed; the council asked staff to notify local contacts when sand arrives so an organized volunteer effort can be mounted.
The city advised residents that sandbagging will be a volunteer-driven operation, with sand and bags placed outside City Hall for self-service filling unless further county support is provided. The council said it will continue coordinating with Lane County and monitor forecasts before taking additional financial or operational steps.
