Sandbag sites open in Tampa Bay area in preparation for heavy rainfall

Sandbag sites are opening up around the Tampa Bay area in preparation of heavy rainfall. Don't forget, when picking up sandbags, you must provide proper identification that shows you are a resident in that area. (valid Driver's license or utility bill will work as identification)

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Citrus County: 

Due to the expected amount of rainfall from Hurricane Hermine, the Citrus County Department of Public Works has two sandbag filling locations open Thursday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The addresses are as follows:

• 4508 S Grandmarch Ave. Homosassa
• 7490 W Gulf to Lake Hwy. Crystal River

The city of Crystal River also will have a self-service location open today, 9/1. Sandbags, sand and shovels will be provided:

• Crystal River Fire Station, 650 NW Third Ave., Crystal River

Friday’s opening will be dependent on storm updates. Updates and information will also be made on Facebook and Twitter throughout the event duration.

Clearwater:

Residents in need of sand bags can obtain the sand for free at the city of Clearwater’s Public Works Complex located at 1650 N. Arcturas Ave., off Hercules Avenue and Sherwood Street.

Residents should bring their own bags and a shovel, as the city has a very limited number of bags available. Bags can be purchased at most home improvement stores. Self-serve sand is located outside the fence on Arcturas Avenue so residents can fill their own bags 24 hours a day. Sand will be available while supplies last.

Dunedin: 

Sandbags will be offered to residents at Highlander Park located on Michigan Blvd. near the Dunedin Fine Art Center & Fire Station 61 (follow sandbag signs). Shovels and bags are available on site with proof of residency. Sandbags will be available 9 a.m. to dusk. 

Hillsborough County: 

Sandbags will be available to the public at all three County Public Works Service Units in Hillsborough County. Sandbags will be available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Thursday. 

Residents can pick up sandbag materials at the following locations:

• West Service Unit - 9805 Sheldon Road in Tampa
• South Service Unit -  8718 Old Big Bend Road in Gibsonton
• East Service Unit - 4702 Sydney Road in Plant City

Residents are allowed a max of 25 sandbags. 

Residents can go online to HCFLGov.net/AtYourService, or call (813) 635-5400 to report flooding and road problems or to request additional information.

Hernando County:

From the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Operations Center: Residents who live in low lying areas are encouraged to monitor the weather closely, and to consider making preparations to protect their property. If needed, sand and sandbags may be purchased at local home improvement stores.

In addition, a limited supply are available to residents Thursday, Sept. 1, at the following locations:

• Hernando County Fire Station #1 located at 1479 Parker Ave., Spring Hill. 
• Hernando Beach Water Tower, 4500 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach.
• Hernando County Dept. of Public Works, 1525 E. Jefferson St., Brooksville.

Sand and sandbags will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please bring your own shovel to use.

If you are in need of information about flooding or protective measures, contact the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Emergency Management at (352) 754-4083 or email eoc@hernandosheriff.org.

Manatee County: 

Bradenton: Sandbags are available at the City's Public Works garage located at 705 13th Ave. W. until 7 p.m.  Thursday, Sept. 1.

Pasco County: 

Sandbag sites will remain open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice:

• West Pasco Government Center, 7356 State Street, New Port Richey
• C-Barn, 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
• Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
• Mitchell Park, 4825 Little Road, New Port Richey
• Land O' Lakes Rec Center, 3032 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes
• Fire Station, 6907 Dairy Road, Zephyrhills

All sandbag locations are self-serve and are open to Pasco County residents. Sandbags are provided, but residents are encouraged to bring their own shovels.

The cities of New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City are also opening sandbag operations for city residents at the following locations, which are open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

• 6240 Pine Hill Road, New Port Richey (self-serve)
• 38042 Pasco Ave., Dade City (self-serve)
• Port Richey City Hall, 6333 Ridge Road, Port Richey (self-serve)

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Pinellas County:

Sandbag locations:

• John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor
• Lealman Community Park, 3890 55th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg
• Taylor Park, 1100 Eighth Ave. S.W. in Largo.

Residents can get up to 10 sandbags at the City Adamek Building located at 7780 60th Street North in Pinellas Park. The hours of operations are:

• August 29, 2016 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• August 30, 2016 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• August 31, 2016 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Polk County:

From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the following fire stations will provide sand and sandbags, so bring your shovel and get prepared.

• Babson Park Fire Station – 714 N. Scenic Highway in Babson Park
• Caloosa Lake Fire Station – 14684 U.S. 27 in Lake Wales
• Cottonwood Fire Station – 126 Cottonwood Drive in Davenport
• Crystal Lake Fire Station – 2450 E. Main St. in Lakeland
• Cypress Gardens Fire Station – 2101 Register Road in Winter Haven
• Golfview Fire Station – 2902 State Road 60 East in Lake Wales
• Indian Lake Estates Fire Station – 6221 Hogan Lane near Lake Wales
• Jan Phyl Fire Station – 333 American Spirit Blvd. in Winter Haven
• Mulberry Fire Station – 900 Fifth Street NE in Mulberry
• Nalcrest Fire Station – 69101 Nalcrest Road in Nalcrest
• Polk City Fire Station – 200 Commonwealth Blvd. in Polk City
• Providence Fire Station – 8936 U.S. 98 North in Lakeland
• Sleepy Hill Fire Station – 330 Sleepy Hill Road in Lakeland
• Solovita Fire Station – 1201 Cypress Parkway in Poinciana
• Willow Oak Fire Station – 4210 Willis Road in Mulberry

Sarasota:

Sandbags will be distributed Wednesday until 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• Newtown Estates Park, 2500 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota
• Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota
• South County Fleet facility, 4571 Englewood Road (State Road 776), Venice

County staff will be overseeing the distribution at all three locations, while supplies last.

Bobby Hicks Pool
4201 W. Mango Ave.

Barksdale Active Adult Center @ MacFarlane Park
1801 N. Lincoln Ave.

Jackson Heights Community Center
3310 E. Lake Avenue

The City of Tampa requests that residents with a storm drain on their property check to ensure that the drain is clear of all debris including leaves and trash.

Residents should report flooding issues by calling (813) 274-3101. 

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA:

During any heavy rainfall or severe weather event, the City of Tampa encourages the motoring public to heed traffic advisories, obey traffic signs/detours, and to exercise caution when driving in and around standing water.

• Do not drive through water – it is difficult to determine how deep the water is.
• It is best to avoid driving unless necessary.
• Treat non-functioning traffic signals as a 4-way stop.
• If you see a road closed, please follow the detour signs.
• Avoid any downed or hanging power lines - they may be live.

Tarpon Springs: 

The City of Tarpon Springs will provide sandbags at three locations throughout the city.

Materials will be available at: 

• Dorsett Park, 500 E. Harrison Street
• Splash Park, 508 E. Live Oak Street
• Roosevelt Boulevard Roundabout at Dodecanese Avenue