The entire Tampa Bay area--and much of Florida's Gulf Coast--is currently under a storm surge warning. It's a good idea to place sandbags around your home to help keep water out. If you need sandbags, here are some places offering them for free:
CITRUS COUNTY:
The county will be offering sandbags to residents on Tuesday starting at 8 a.m. and will remain open until further notice. There is a limit of 15 bags per car.
- Near the Homosassa Area Recreational Playground
- 4210 S Grandmarch Avenue, Homosassa, FL 34446
- Near Dan’s Clam Stand
- 7500 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River, FL 34429
HERNANDO COUNTY:
Starting Tuesday morning, residents can pick up a limited number of sandbags in preparation for Tropical Storm Elsa. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or will operate as long as the weather permits. Residents must bring their own shovel.
- Linda Pedersen Park
- 6300 Shoal Line Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY:
Residents can pick up a maximum of 10 sandbags at three locations across the county from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.
- Edward Medard Conservation Park
- 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City, FL 33567
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park
- 2401 19th Avenue NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
- Ed Radice Park
- 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa, FL 33626
The City of Tampa is also offering sandbags to residents at the following locations from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday:
- Al Barnes Park South
- 2902 N. 32nd Street, Tampa, FL 33605
- Himes Avenue Complex
- 4501 S. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33611
- MacFarlane Park
- 1700 North MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607
The City of Temple Terrace is also providing sandbags to residents on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Youth Sports Complex
- 10369 US Highway 301, Temple Terrace, FL 33637
MANATEE COUNTY:
Starting Tuesday morning, residents can pick up a limit of 10 sandbags per household at three locations around the county. Each site is open at 8 a.m. and will continue to operate as long as the weather permits.
- Self-Serve Distribution Site (Bags and sand provided)
- Public Works Department Stormwater Facility
- 5511 39th Street E, Bradenton, FL 34203
- Full-Service Distribution Site
- GT Bray Park (Parking Lot)
- 5502 33rd Avenue Drive W, Bradenton, FL 34209
- Pre-made Sandbag Distribution Site
- Manatee Beach Parking Lot
- 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
PINELLAS COUNTY:
Sandbags will be made available to residents from 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesday at two parks.
- Walsingham Park
- 2615 102nd Avenue, Seminole, FL 33778
- John Chesnut Sr. Park
- 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34685
The City of St. Petersburg is also offering sandbags to residents starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
- Year-round self-service sandbag site
- 1744 9th Avenue N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
- Northeast Park
- 875 62nd Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 (located at the Cardinal Drive entrance to Mangrove Bay Golf Course)
- James “JC” Turner Fields
- 643 22nd Avenue S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (located on the south side of Bartlett Park)
- Northwest Pool
- 2331 60th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
SARASOTA COUNTY:
he county offered sandbags for residents at Twin Lakes Park on Monday; however, sandbags are not currently available today (Tuesday)
Something to keep in mind: when you go for sandbags, they do not come pre-filled! You will arrive at the sandbag location, and they'll give you bags and a shovel; it's up to you to fill your own bags, so dress accordingly and prepare to get dirty. In my experience, there's usually someone on-site who is available to help folks with mobility issues, but everyone else should show up prepared to work. Be safe out there!
Source: WFLA NEWS
Photo: Getty Images