By Mary O’KEEFE

It took less than two hours for about 36 volunteers to fill 1,000 sandbags at Dunsmore Park on Saturday morning.

“This went great. We had a tremendous outpouring of support,” said Jeff Weinstein, project manager for Glendale Parks and Recreation.

The sandbags that were filled on Oct. 3 will be added to the 3,000 that have already been prepared by the city of Glendale for residents to use in preparation of flooding expected this winter. The Station Fire left ash and very little vegetation in the Deukmejian Wilderness Park. Officials have warned that, with an expected El Nino winter, the chance of flooding are high.

During two community meetings on Sept. 26 and 28, city officials explained their winter preparation plan. The main focus of the meeting was to inform residents on how they should be aware and how to get ready for the potential flooding, rock and mudslides and how the city and Los Angeles county officials are preparing for that eventuality.

The city and county are cleaning debris basins and working on a water flow equation that will help in determining the path flood water may take on its way down from Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

City and county officials invited residents to call them for a walk through of their property and afterward residents would be advised on the number and placement of needed sandbags.

Michael Webster had already had that meeting and with the help from volunteers began loading his vehicle with sandbags on Saturday.

Boy Scout Troop 319 brought several members to help fill bags.

“It’s good for the community and our scouts are having a good time,” said John Protzko, scout master for troop 319.

He added that many of the scouts live in the area that will be directly affected by future floods and others were there to support their community.

The sandbags will be stored at Dunsmore Park and more will be available in the future. Park Naturalist Eric Grossman said parks and recreation will schedule another sandbag filling event in the near future.

“We will just keep making them,” Grossman said.

Many sandbags will be needed for the residents around the wilderness park since the Station Fire.

For information on how to volunteer, contact the city of Glendale volunteer number at (818) 548-2782 or e-mail ihidalgo@ci.glendale.ca.us. To learn if a home is in the flood danger area and to have an official assess the residence, or for any questions about the winter plans, contact the city of Glendale Community Hotline at (818) 548-6464. For information in the county area, call L.A. County Public Works at (800) 214-4020.