Updated April 4 2013 12:05pm:

The Otter Tail County Emergency Operations Team has set up three distribution locations where residents will have access to sandbags, sand, and plastic needed to construct dikes for the upcoming spring thaw and potential overland flooding.

The following distribution locations will be open beginning Friday, April 5, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Locations will be open Monday through Friday until further notice.

Pelican Rapids County Highway Garage – 208 NE 5th Ave. Pelican Rapids, MN
New York Mills County Highway Garage – 36889 560th Ave., New York Mills, MN
Battle Lake County Highway Garage – 601 W Holdt Street, Battle Lake, MN

In order to ensure that supplies are on hand, please call 218-998-8470 to schedule a time to fill or pick up sandbags. Supplies will not be accessible at distribution sites after the designated hours of operation.

Bags that are filled on site will be available free of charge. Individuals interested in purchasing empty sandbags may also do so at the distribution centers for 20 cents per bag. Residents will be responsible for filling and transporting their own sandbags.

All residents who utilize the distribution centers (for filled or unfilled bags) will be required to show identification and provide the address of the location where the bags will be used.

How to Fill Sandbags and Build a Sandbag Dike
Sandbag Calculator (courtesy of the City of Fargo, ND)

Current Road Closings
National Weather Service Hydrological Outlook
Current and Forecasted Weather

Flood Preparednes Otter Tail County 2013
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Flood Preparation & Recovery
Agriculture Related Flood Information
Protecting Your Health
Private Wells & Health Risks
After the Flood – Septic Systems

Please refer to the "Flood" section on the Emergency Manangement Page for additional resources on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from flooding.