TAMPA, Fla. — With tropical weather affecting the state of Florida this weekend and into early next week, multiple emergency management officials are opening up multiple locations where residents and business owners can get sandbags to help protect their property from possible flooding.

CITY OF TAMPA

The sites will be open from Friday, Aug. 2 - Saturday, Aug. 3. Here are the locations:

Seniors and individuals with special needs will be attended first, with a dedicated time for sandbag filling on Friday, Aug. 2, from 9 am. to 12 p.m. Immediately after, all members of the public will have the opportunity to visit the sites through Saturday until 7 p.m.

Each household is allowed up to 10 sandbags.

If you are looking to get sandbags, you are encouraged to pre-register. You can learn more about sandbag pickup and distribution by visiting the city of Tampa website.

Below are more locations across the Bay area to obtain sandbags.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Pinellas County has a year-round sandbag site next door to the county household hazardous waste facility. It's open from Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can pick up 10 sandbags. The location is 2855 109th Ave. North in St. Petersburg.

As we reported in May, the new system replaces the need for residents to fill bags themselves, and county officials say people need to pick their bags up sooner rather than later.

In St. Petersburg, the year-round sandbag location at the Pavement and Traffic Operations Building (1744 9th Ave. N) is now closed. Instead, emergency full-service sandbag locations will be operational on Friday, August 2, and Saturday, August 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until weather conditions permit.

Full-Service Sandbag Locations (August 2-4):

Important Information for Residents: Each household is eligible to receive up to 10 sandbags. Proof of residency, such as a driver's license, is required to collect sandbags. Staff will be available to assist seniors and individuals who require help with filling and loading sandbags at the Full-Service Sandbag Locations only.

Meanwhile, the City of Pinellas Park will open a drive-thru sandbag site for Pinellas Park residents only. Residents can get up to 10 sandbags each and must show a water bill and/or valid driver's license indicating they are a resident of Pinellas Park in order to receive their sandbags. The location is 6151 78th Ave N. and it's Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Clearwater, the city is making sandbags available for its residents ahead of any impacts from expected tropical weather this weekend.

While supplies last, the prefilled bags are now available at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew St. There is a limit of 10 per vehicle, and they are
meant for Clearwater residents only.

As a reminder, sandbags are recommended only for residents who may experience flooding less than 15 inches. Sandbags won't stop water completely, but they can reduce the amount of water entering your home. They will not protect against waves or storm surge associated with larger storms.

In Dunedin, pre-filled sandbags will be available at the City of Dunedin Highlander Park parking lot, 903 Michigan Blvd, today, August 2, 2024, from noon until 7 p.m. until supplies last. Once pre-filled are gone, sand and bags will be available. The sandbag site is available to City of Dunedin residents and business owners with proof of residency: driver's license or recent utility bill. There is a limit of 15 bags per resident or business owner. Sand, sandbags and shovels are available at the site. Assistance will be provided for those with special needs.

In Gulfport, the following city operations will be available to residents starting Friday.

  • Sandbags will be available at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th Street South, starting Friday, August 2, from 12 p.m. (noon) - 6:00 p.m. There is 10-bag limit and proof of residency may be required.
  • Sandbags will be available Saturday, August 3, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. There is 10-bag limit and proof of residency may be required.
  • Sandbags will be available Sunday, August 4, starting at 8 a.m. until inclement weather. There is 10-bag limit and proof of residency may be required.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Hillsborough County is providing sandbags to help residents prepare for potential flooding due to PTC Four that may impact the county. 

The sandbags will be available to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the following four locations.

Hillsborough County residents are eligible for a maximum of 10 sandbags per family. Residents must show ID verifying they live in the county. A driver’s license will serve as proper identification.  
 
Edward Medard Conservation Park, E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, Ed Radice Sports Complex, and Larry Sanders Sports Complex will be closed to the public during sandbag operations. 

MANATEE COUNTY

Manatee County Public Works crews are setting up self-serve sandbag locations for residents who may want to take extra pro-active measures to secure their property in advance of the forecast tropical weather headed here.

Sand and bags will be available beginning at noon Friday at Coquina Beach (near the Bus Loop) at 1507 S. Gulf Dr. in Bradenton Beach, Lincoln Park at 501 17th Street East in Palmetto. There will also be a self-serve location set up just south of the former Manatee County Utilities Headquarters at 4410 66th Street W. in Bradenton. Updated locations are listed at www.mymanatee.org/sandbags.

Manatee County will also make sand and bags available for areas at risk of flooding at the Rubonia Community Center at 1309 72nd Street E. in Palmetto and the Myakka City Community Center at 10060 Wauchula Rd. in Myakka City. Follow official storm information from Manatee County at mymanatee.org/storm

In Bradenton, sandbags are being made available to city residents at the Public Works Annex on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents are instructed to use 9th Ave W to enter into the area behind the Annex, located at 1411 9th St. W. Signage will be in place. Sandbag distribution is limited to 10 bags per car, and a valid ID demonstrating City residency will be required. Additionally, residents are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED, the City’s emergency notification service, which is available at no cost. Enrollment can be completed online at www.cityofbradenton.com/codered, or via smartphone by texting MyBradentonFL to 99411.

 

POLK COUNTY

 

Polk County is making sandbags available throughout the county on Saturday, August 3 only. Locations below will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sandbag site locations are:

A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household address to help prevent water intrusion into the home. You will need to bring a driver license to show your local address.

Residents living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes. To protect against water damage, follow these simple sandbagging techniques. At the area where water can enter a structure:

If not working on concrete, dig a small ditch just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible (sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the visqueen should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.

Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold visqueen over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top, fold visqueen back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so on. This creates an "S" pattern with the visqueen.