The City of North Bay’s sandbag filling stations at Sunset and Champlain Parks will be staffed this weekend from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Both stations are providing sand and sandbags at no cost to residents in areas where there is a risk of potential shoreline damage along Lake Nipissing.
Sandbags are intended for reinforcing breakwalls and serving as barriers to prevent water from reaching structures.
Prefilled sandbags are available, and staff will help with lifting and loading.
The filling stations have been staffed this week from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Approximately 6,000 sandbags have been distributed to date and staffing hours are being reduced this weekend due to decreasing demand.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority advises the public to exercise caution by keeping children and pets away from watercourses and shorelines. Residents and visitors, particularly those residing in low-lying areas, are urged to stay vigilant and monitor evolving conditions, taking necessary precautions during periods of heightened water flow.
Environment Canada issued another weather statement for the North Bay-West Nipissing area late Friday afternoon.
"Rain will begin after midnight and continue into early Sunday morning," Environment Canada stated.
"The heaviest rain is expected to fall Saturday into Saturday night. Locally higher amounts are likely in thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening."
