FLORIDA — Whenever a tropical storm or hurricane approaches the state, flooding is always a concern. Many residents use sandbags as a barrier to divert moving water away from homes or buildings.

If this is your first time using sandbags for storm prep, here's how they work.

1. Make sure you have some kind of water barrier.

Use a tarp, visqueen, or in the worst-case scenario, a trash bag. Apply the water barrier to the door that you want to protect from water entering by using some tape. Taping the water barrier along the top is suggested to keep water from running behind it. Make sure the water barrier runs from left to right, covering the entire entrance of the door. 

2. Start adding sandbags on top of the water barrier.

Place the sandbags lengthwise end-to-end along the entire door so that water can't get in.

3. Add multiple layers.

Stack sandbags similarly into a pyramid form or like laying bricks. Cover the seam of the sandbags underneath. 

View the video below from Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation for visual instruction on how to use sandbags: