UPDATE: Mahwah Handing Out 5,000 Free Hurricane Sandy Sandbags

Mahwah residents can pick up free sandbags Sunday afternoon at Commodore Perry Field. In the wake of hurricane Sandy, the Township is handing out free sandbags that can be used to block anticipated floodwaters.

The first 1,000 free sandbags were given out to residents in just over an hour Sunday afternoon. Another delivery of sand arrived at Commodore Perry before 3 p.m., and another 5,000 bags were delivered at about 4:30 p.m.

The township is looking for volunteers to help bag sand, carry bags to residents' cars, and deliver bags to residents in flood-prone areas.

According to Mayor Bill Laforet, the bags were donated by the New Jersey State Police and the sand donated by a company in upstate New York.

Over 50 volunteers were at the park Sunday afternoon helping bag and hand out sand.

The giveaway is on a first come-first serve basis. The township is sending update alerts on the giveaway using its new Nixle text message alert system.