Mancos hands out sandbags at the Grange, and says to prepare for more

The Town of Mancos is handing out sandbags at the Mancos Grange, 680 Grand Ave., after a second weekend of storms and flooding, and in a follow-up notice it told residents to take some even if their own property is dry — to be ready for the next storm.

The town published two notices on Monday. The first opened the distribution point for “residents whose properties are currently affected by flooding or at immediate risk of flooding.” The second, headed “SANDBAGS STILL AVAILABLE,” widened that: the bags are there for “those affected by flooding or preparing for potential future storms,” and pre-filled bags are now ready to collect.

Both notices say the same three practical things. Supplies are limited and go first-come, first-served; once they are gone there will be no more. Bags are also available empty to fill on site. And you must bring your own shovel.

Volunteers from Montezuma Search and Rescue are on site helping with distribution, the first notice says, and the town thanked the group “for their willingness to assist our community during this time.”

What the town has not said

Neither notice gives hours for the distribution point, a date it closes, or how many bags the town has. Neither says who to call, and neither says whether the Grange is staffed all day or only at certain times.

Why it is still going on

The second notice encourages residents “to take advantage of these supplies to prepare for possible future flooding.” The weather service had a flood warning in force for the Mancos River near Mancos on Wednesday morning, due to run until the afternoon, with the river at 7.2 feet against a 6-foot flood stage and forecast to drop back below flood stage during the morning.

Flooding over the weekend of November 1 pushed the Mancos River over the town’s wastewater treatment lagoons, shut Cottonwood Park and closed the South Spruce Street bridge. The town’s earlier request that residents conserve water, while sediment works through the treatment system, still stands — it put that at about two weeks on November 2. All evacuation orders were lifted on November 2.

The town’s notices are on the Town of Mancos website. For an emergency, call 911.

Sources: Town of Mancos public service announcements, “Sandbags Available” and “Sandbag Update,” both posted November 3, 2026 · National Weather Service Grand Junction, Flood Warning for Montezuma County, issued November 4, 2026 at 6:35 a.m.