Sandbags available tonight at Panther Creek Park

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) - With heavy rain forecasted later this week, EMA officials in Daviess County are handing out sandbags to the public.

They were out from 9 a.m. to noon handing them out at the Daviess County Operations Center.

“I do live in an area that gets some floods sometimes,” said Sara Monroe, who was picking up sandbags. “I’ve had it in my yard, so I’m trying to be proactive and prepare.”

Monroe wasn’t the only one hoping to beat the storm. Long lines of cars flooded over onto Kentucky 81 in Daviess County, waiting for bags.

Volunteers came out in droves to stuff the bags. Among them, inmates from the Daviess County Detention Center.

“They want to be out and helping out and doing their part,” said Deputy Chuck Mattingly with the detention center.

Members of the road crew, who would typically be out mowing or picking up trash, joined the community instead, with possible historic weather on the way.

“It feels good just to give back and be a part of something,” said inmate Lucan Anderson.

The volunteering wasn’t limited to filling sandbags. Some people, like Jeremy Hinton, were loading truck beds full of sand to pass out to those who couldn’t make it out Tuesday.

“What I’m doing is taking my time to come up here and get as many sandbags as I can for those who are disabled or can’t get out of the house,” Hinton said.

Hinton says he’s been receiving lots of comments and messages from people, asking for sand. He says he’s happy to play his part and help others.

“I want to do this to make sure everybody in my community is safe,” Hinton said.

And as the sandpit turned into an assembly line, all eyes turn to days of rain in the forecast.

“Prepare for the worst but we’re going to hope for the best,” Monroe said.

Organizers will be back out Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., but that will at Panther Creek Park.

They say it’s to keep traffic moving along Highway 81.

There will be a limit of 100 sandbags per address.

Anyone age 15 and older can help fill the bags. Officials ask volunteers to bring their own shovel and gloves.

Businesses wanting to help should bring staff to help fill and load sandbags.

Proof of Daviess County residency is required with a mailed bill or statement matching the driver’s license.

[Survey released for number of sandbags needed for McLean Co. residents]

Copyright 2025 WFIE. All rights reserved.