GOSHEN — Sandbags will be available in three locations throughout Elkhart County this weekend in case of flooding.

Rain and warmer temperatures reaching the upper 40s are expected to melt snow and ice this weekend, which could lead to flooding in some parts of the county. Self-serve sandbag filling stations will be open in Goshen, Elkhart and New Paris.

The Goshen Street Department will have staff on hand between 6 a.m. and noon on Saturday and Sunday to allow residents to fill sandbags. The street department is located at 475 Steury Ave. on the northeast side of Goshen. If needed, the street department will extend its hours this weekend.

Denny Long, Goshen street commissioner, said the west side of Goshen is more prone to flooding than other parts of the city, but an inch or two of rain could spur problems in other areas. Elkhart County Emergency Management deputy director Mike Pennington agreed, adding that the earlier people prepare for potential flooding, the better.

Two other locations will have sandbags available 24/7. Pennington said a shed with sand and bags has been set up near the Elkhart County Highway Department’s garage at 59308 C.R. 7 in Elkhart. The parking lot at the Boy Scout camp a half mile west of S.R. 15 on C.R. 46 in New Paris will also have sandbags for residents in the southern part of the county.