The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood advisory that indicates heavy rains are possible late Friday through Saturday in some parts of southern New Mexico.
Las Cruces residents in need of sandbags to help keep floodwaters from entering residential doorways can obtain up to five bags at fire stations 1-6 and at Fire Station 8. Fire Station 7, at the Las Cruces International Airport, does not stock sandbags.
The Las Cruces Fire Department suggests residents obtain free sandbags at the fire station closest to their residence.
The number of sandbags available is limited to five per homeowner and the Las Cruces Fire Department suggests bags be obtained only by those who have experienced flooding in the past or residents who anticipate floodwaters. The sandbags are intended to keep water from entering a dwelling and their suggested placement is around doorways that are susceptible to flooding.
The Fire Department does not provide sandbags to protect landscaping or vegetation.
The Doña Ana County and City of Las Cruces Office of Emergency Management is providing empty sandbags that can be obtained and filled with sand by area residents. The OEM office is located at 1170 N. Solano Drive, Suite O, in Las Cruces. OEM can provide up to 25 empty sandbags per residence. Residents can easily store the empty bags at home and fill them with sand when they are needed. The empty sandbags are free to area residents and can be obtained during regular office hours, 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.