BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Sandbag sites across parts of the Tampa Bay area are opening ahead of potential impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by midweek.
When it gets a name, it'll be Helene.
Area officials are keeping a close eye on the system because the Tampa Bay area is in the cone of uncertainty and could be affected by heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surges.
Here's a list of sandbag locations open across Tampa Bay. This list will be updated as more information is made available.
Citrus County sandbag sites
Free sandbag sites will be open from Monday afternoon through Wednesday. The sites are open 24/7, but there will be staff to assist residents during select hours.
Those hours are:
- Monday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The following sandbag sites are open:
- Homosassa Recreation Park, 4210 S Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa
- Bicentennial Park, 501 N Baseball Point, Crystal River
- Floral Park, 9530 S Parkside Ave., Floral City
- Old Hernando Elementary School, 2435 N Florida Ave., Hernando
Hernando County sandbag sites
Hernando County leaders opened several sandbag sites Monday ahead of potential impacts from tropical weather.
There will be a limited supply of sand and sandbags at these locations. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels. The locations will stay open until "weather conditions begin to deteriorate."
- Linda Pedersen Park, 6300 Shoal Line Blvd., Spring Hill
- Monday, September 23 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 24 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., weather permitting
- Wednesday, September 25 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., weather permitting
- Anderson Snow Park, 1360 Anderson Snow Rd., Spring Hill
(Enter through the service road between the park and the gymnastics place, the sand is located at the end)- Monday, September 23 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 24 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., weather permitting
- Wednesday, September 25 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., weather permitting
- Ridge Manor Community Center, 34240 Cortez Blvd. Ridge Manor
- Tuesday, September 24 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., weather permitting
- Wednesday, September 25 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting
- Spring Lake Methodist Church, 4191 Spring Lake Hwy., Brooksville
- Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting
- Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting
City of Brooksville
A self-serve sandbag site will be open 24/7 at 600 S. Brooksville Avenue. Residents are asked to be considerate and take only what they need as supplies are limited.
Hillsborough County sandbag sites
Sandbag sites will open to Hillsborough County residents from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept, 24 at the following locations:
Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City
E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa
Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa
There is a limit of 10 sandbags per family.
Manatee County sandbag sites
Manatee County is opening multiple sandbag sites throughout the county. Depending on the site, some are self-service and have sand and bags available while some are for pre-filled sandbag distribution.
Pasco County sandbag sites
Self-serve sandbag sites are open in Pasco County. Two sites will be open 24/7 while two others will be open from sunrise to sunset. All sites are self-serve and open to residents in Pasco County. Both sand and sandbags are expected to be restocked each day, weather permitting.
These sites will be open 24/7:
- Pasco County Public Works (C-Bard), 30908 Warder Rd, San Antonio
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course, 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
These sites will be open from sunrise to sunset, until further notice:
- Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Rd, Hudson
- Pasco Fire Rescue Station #29, 6907 Dairy Rd, Zephyrhills
Pinellas County sandbag sites
Pinellas County leaders say residents of unincorporated Pinellas County can pick up free, pre-filled sandbags at a self-serve site. Those living in municipal areas should look at their city governments for sandbag locations.
- Next to the Household Hazardous Waste facility, 2855 109th Ave. N., St. Petersburg
- Hours: Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Limit 10 sandbags per household
- John Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Road S.
- Hours: Tuesday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 7 a.m. to noon
- Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew Street, Clearwater
- Hours: Tuesday from sunrise to sunset; Wednesday 9 a.m. to noon
- Clearwater and unincorporated Pinellas County residents only. Residents need to being their own shovels.
City of Gulfport
Sandbags will be available at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center, located at 1617 49th Street South, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. There is a 10-bag limit and proof of residency may be required.
City of St. Petersburg
Non-emergency sandbag operations are extended until 7 p.m. Monday at 1744 9th Ave. N. The city says additional sandbag sites will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday. You can find a full list of open sites on the city's website.
Sarasota County sandbag sites
Sarasota County leaders opened several self-service sandbag sites ahead of potential impacts from tropical weather. The sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the following locations:
- Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Rd.
- Ed Smith Stadium (parking lot), 2700 12th St.
- South County Fleet Services, 4571 State Road 776/Englewood Rd.
There's a limit of 10 sandbags per car. Bags and sand will be provided, but residents are asked to bring their shovels.
City of Venice
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 252 Seaboard Ave, a self-service sand station will be open for Venice residents. Sand is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shovels will be provided. There's a limit of 10 sandbags per car.
City of North Port
A self-service sandbag site is open at Larry Thoennissen Athletic Fields behind the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way.
Bags and sand will be available while supplies last, with a limit of 10 bags per vehicle. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels.
How to fill and lay sandbags
Be careful, sandbags can be heavy! Fill them halfway up and tie them closed.
Once you have your sandbags in hand, place one on the ground and place the new bag on the tail (or tied end) of the old bag. Stagger the next layer like bricks. A good rule of thumb is to lay the bags the length of a doorway and add another row on top.
It's important to note sandbags can help protect your home or property from minor flooding. They do not protect from storm surges.