As meteorologists monitor a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could develop into a major hurricane, some local governments in the Tampa Bay area began offering sandbags on Monday.
Officials point out that while sandbags can be an effective way to prevent minor water intrusions, they cannot prevent storm surges or major flooding.
This story will be updated as more governments offer sandbags.
What you should know:
Pinellas County
Two sandbag locations are available for residents of unincorporated Pinellas County:
- John Chesnut Park, 2200 E. Lake Road S., Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to noon
- Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew St., Tuesday from sunrise to sunset and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring a shovel.
For more information, visit pinellas.gov/sandbags.
Hillsborough County
Starting Tuesday, four sandbagging stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
- Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
- EG Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
- Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa
- Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa
Proof of residence is required and there is a limit of 10 pieces of luggage.
City of St. Petersburg
Non-emergency sandbagging operations have been extended until 7 p.m. Monday at the Stormwater Pavement & Traffic Operations Building, 1744 Ninth Ave. N.
The following full-service sandbag locations are open Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or weather permitting:
- Shelter at Lake Maggiore Park, 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S.
- Northeast Park East Baseball Field Parking Lot, 955 62nd Ave. NE
- Northwest Swimming Pool parking lot, 2331 60th St. N.
The following self-service sandbag locations are open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or weather permitting:
- Dell Homes Park, 2741 22nd St. S.
- Fossil Park (northernmost parking lot), 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.
- Walter Fuller Soccer Field parking lot, 2800 75th St. N.
City of Tampa
Sandbags will be available at three locations on Tuesday and Wednesday:
- Himes Avenue Sports Complex, 4501 S. Himes Ave.
- Al Barnes Park, 2902 N. 32nd St.
- Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave.
The sites will be open to seniors and residents with special needs from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, then open to the general public from noon to 7 p.m. On Wednesday, they will be open to the general public from noon to 7 p.m.
Proof of residence is required and there is a limit of 10 pieces of luggage.
City of Dunedin
Pre-filled sandbags will be available in the Highlander Park parking lot, 903 Michigan Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday while supplies last. Sand and bags will be available once pre-filled bags are depleted.
Proof of residency is required and there is a limit of 15 bags. Sand, bags and shovels are available on-site. Assistance is available for those with special needs.
For more information, contact the City’s Public Services Department at 727-298-3232 or 727-298-3233.
City of Pinellas Park
Pre-filled sandbags will be available in the parking lot at 6151 78th Ave N. from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, weather permitting.
In addition, sandbag self-service stations will be opened at the following locations:
- Helen Howarth Park, 6301 94th Ave. N
- Broderick Park, 6101 66th Ave. N
- Pinebrook Park, 7202 118th Ave. N
Howarth Park is open from 8am to 7pm on Tuesday and from 8am to 5pm on Wednesday, weather permitting.
The Broderick and Pinebrook locations are open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Proof of residence is required and there is a limit of 10 pieces of luggage.
City of Temple Terrace
Sandbags will be available from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Youth Sports Complex, 10369 US Highway 301. Proof of residency is required and there is a limit of 10 bags.
Pasco County
Two sandbag self-service stations are open 24 hours a day:
- Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn), 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course, 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
Two additional self-service sandbag sites are open from sunrise to sunset until further notice:
- Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
- Pasco Fire Station #29, 6907 Dairy Road, Zephyrhills
Sand and bags are replenished daily when the weather is nice. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels.
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