Sandbag locations open up across the Tampa Bay area ahead of Hurricane Milton

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — After Hurricane Helene tore through multiple communities, officials are gearing up for Hurricane Milton this week. To prepare, some counties are opening free sandbag locations for residents.

Anyone living in areas that are prone to flooding should consider picking up sandbags.

PINELLAS COUNTY

• Pinellas County officials said these sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 6.
  
  • John Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Rd S, Palm Harbor
  • Walsingham Park, 12615 102nd Ave, Seminole
• St. Pete Beach
  
  • Free sandbags are now available in the parking lot of the Community Center 7701 Boca Ciega Drive
    Additional sand source on Gulf Way and 21st Ave.
• Dunedin
  
  • The City of Dunedin is opening a self-service sandbag distribution site Monday, October 7, from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., at the Jerry Lake Recreation Complex at 1601 Virginia St, Dunedin, FL 34698. From S.R. 580 take Achieva Way south to Jerry Lake Court. Go right to the Jerry Lake Recreation Complex (soccer fields).

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

• Hillsborough County officials said sites will be open, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 5
  
  • E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
  • Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa, FL 33626
  • Larry Sanders Progress Village Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th Street Tampa, FL 33619

City of Tampa

• Officials said the following sites will be open on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local residents and business owners will be able to fill sandbags to protect their properties.
  
  • Himes Avenue Complex: 4501 S Himes Avenue, Tampa
  • Al Barnes Park: 2902 N 32nd Street, Tampa
    
    • Free tarps will be available while supplies last

City of Oldsmar

• The City of Oldsmar will open a self-service sandbag station on Monday, October 7th from 10am to 7pm until supplies are depleted in the parking lot of the Oldsmar Sports Complex at 3120 Tampa Road. Entry must be made by Curfew Road. Residents should bring their own shovels and proof of residency in Oldsmar is required. 10 bag limit per vehicle.

MANATEE COUNTY

City of Bradenton

• Officials said the site will be open Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. A valid ID proving residency is required, and there is a limit of 10 bags per car.
  
  • Public Works Annex: 1411 9th Street West, Bradenton

SARASOTA COUNTY

City of Venice

• Officials will open a self-service sandbag station for residents Monday, Oct. 7, from at 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both sand and bags will be available.
  
  • 252 Seaboard Avenue

POLK COUNTY

City of Winter Haven

• The sandbag station will open Monday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. and will remain open until dusk. It will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7 a.m. and remain open until 1 p.m. or as long as is safe given the weather.
  
  • Rueben Williams Sports Complex: 1751 7th St NE, Winter Haven

HIGHLANDS COUNTY

• Officials will hand out sandbags on Monday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Empty bags will be provided, and there will be a limit of 10 bags per person. Sandbag filling will be self-service.
  
  • Road and Bridge office: 4344 George Blvd, Sebring
  • Road and Bridge office: East Winthrop Street, Avon Park
  • Road and Bridge office: County Road 621, Lake Placid
  • Sebring: South George Boulevard just north of the Emergency Operations Center (self-service)
  • Avon Park: Intersection of Old Bombing Range Road, County Road 17A and Isabelle Lake Road (self-service)
  • Lake Placid: Intersection of County Road 621, County Road 619 and Highlands Lake Drive (self-service)