TAMPA, Fla. — Sandbag sites will be open across parts of the Tampa Bay area ahead of potential impacts from Tropical Depression Four this weekend.
Tampa officials are urging people to be prepared for the worsening weather conditions, which may begin late Saturday and continue into early next week.
Here's a rundown of sandbag locations — this list will be updated as more information is received:
Citrus County sandbag sites
Self-serve sandbag sites are open 24/7 until further notice at the following locations:
- Homosassa Recreation Park (4210 S. Grandmarch Ave. in Homosassa)
- Bicentennial Park (501 N. Baseball Point in Crystal River)
- Floral Park (9530 S. Parkside Ave. in Floral City)
- Old Hernando Elementary School (2435 N. Florida Ave. in Hernando)
Shovels will not be provided. Staff will be on-site between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to assist at all four locations.
Hernando County sandbag sites
The following self-serve sandbag sites will be open starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2. People are asked to bring their own shovel.
- Linda Pedersen Park (6300 Shoal Line Blvd., Spring Hill)
- Anderson Snow Park (1360 Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill)
- Ridge Manor Community Center (34240 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor)
Hillsborough County sandbag sites
The following locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3:
- 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)
Hillsborough County residents are eligible for 10 sandbags per family and must show an ID verifying their address.
City of Tampa
Sandbag sites will be offered at the following locations on Saturday:
- Al Barnes Park (2902 North 32nd St.)
- Al Lopez Park (4810 North Himes Ave.)
- Himes Avenue Complex (4501 South Himes Ave.)
The sites are open to the public from 8 a.m. through 7 p.m. Saturday.
Each household can take up to 10 sandbags. Officials said sandbag filling machines will help make the process easier.
People are encouraged to visit tampa.gov/hurricane to preregister.
Manatee County sandbag sites
Self-serve sandbags are available at the following locations:
- Coquina Beach (1507 S. Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach)
- Former Manatee County Utilities Headquarters (4410 66th St. W. in Bradenton)
- Lincoln Park (51 17th St. East in Palmetto)
- Myakka City Community Center (10060 Wauchula Rd. in Myakka City)
- Rubonia Community Center (1309 72nd Street E. in Palmetto)
There are currently no limits on sandbags per person or household.
Pasco County sandbag sites
Self-serve sandbag stations available 24/7 year-round are available at the following locations:
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course (7223 Massachusetts Avenue in New Port Richey)
- Pasco County Public Works C-Barn (30908 Warder Road in San Antonio)
The county is also opening additional self-serve sites from sunrise to sunset through Sunday at the following locations:
- Former Dade City Police Department building (38042 Pasco Avenue in Dade City)
- Pasco Fire Rescue Station #29 (6907 Dairy Rd in Zephyrhills)
- Veterans Memorial Park (14333 Hicks Road in Hudson)
Shovels will not be available, and the county asks residents to bring their own.
Pinellas County sandbag sites
People who live in unincorporated Pinellas County can pick up pre-filled sandbags at the self-serve site next to the Household Hazardous Waste facility at 2855 109th Ave N. in St. Petersburg. The facility is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household.
Clearwater
Prefilled sandbags were available at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex but have since run out.
Gulfport
Sandbags are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and starting at 8 a.m. until inclement weather Sunday at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center at 1617 49th Street South in Gulfport.
People must bring proof of residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill. There is a limit of 10 bags per resident.
Indian Rocks Beach
A self-service sandbag station is open from 1-7 p.m. beginning Friday at Kolb Park at 1507 Bay Palm Blvd. while supplies last.
Proof of residency, including a driver's license or utility bill, is required. There is a limit of 20 bags per household.
Pinellas Park
City officials will open a drive-thru sandbag site in the parking lot 6151 78th Ave N. for Pinellas Park residents only. People must show a water bill and/or valid driver's license indicating their residency.
The site is open from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Saturday. The limit is 10 bags per resident.
St. Petersburg
Pre-filled sandbags are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the following locations:
- Lake Maggiore Park Shelter Area (3601 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. S)
- Northeast Park East Baseball Field Parking Lot (955 62nd Ave. N)
- Northwest Swimming Pool Parking Lot Park (2331 60th St. N)
Self-serve sandbags are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the following locations:
- Dell Homes Park (2741 22nd St. S)
- Fossil Park Northern Most Parking Lot (6875 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N)
- Walter Fuller Soccer Field Parking Lot (2800 75th St. N)
People must bring proof of residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per house. Staff will be available to help seniors and people who need help with filling and loading sandbags at the self-service locations.
Tarpon Springs
Sandbags are available through Sunday at the following locations:
- Splash Park (508 Live Oak St.)
- Dorsett Park (500 E. Harrison St.)
- Hill Street Parking Lot (Corner of Hill St. & Roosevelt Blvd.)
Sandbags are available for residents only and are restricted to a maximum of 10 per household.
Polk County sandbag sites
Sandbags area available at the following sites from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3:
- Loyce E. Harpe Park (500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry)
- 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland
- 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade
- 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof
- 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale
- 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee
- 5109 Allegany Road, Kissimmee
A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household. Polk County residents will be required to show ID.
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.