ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As the state of Florida prepares for the potential impact of Hurricane Ian, Tampa Bay-area counties are making sandbags available to the community.
Check out the list below of where and when you can find sandbags and shovels (in some counties) near you.
Hernando
Sandbag locations will open beginning at noon on Sunday, Sept. 25. A limited supply of sand and sandbags will be available. The county says the self-serve sandbags sites will remain open until weather conditions worsen.
- Linda Pederson Park - 6300 Shoal Line Blvd., Spring Hill
- Anderson Snow Park - 1360 Anderson Snow Rd., Spring Hill
Hillsborough
As of 9:07 a.m. Tuesday, all sandbag locations are at full capacity. Anyone currently not at the sites is asked to not drive to any.
The city of Tampa is opening three sandbag distribution sites starting on Sunday, Sept. 25. The sites will open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the city will provide bags, sand and shovels. Volunteers will be available to help those who cannot fill their own sandbags. Tampa residents will need to show proof of residency in the city to receive sandbags. There is also a 10-bag limit.
- Himes Avenue Complex - 4501 S. Himes Avenue, Tampa
- Al Barnes Park - 2902 N. 32nd Street, Tampa
- McFarlane Park - 1700 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa
The following Hillsborough sandbag pick-up locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 25.
- Edward Medard Conservation Park - 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park - 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
- Ed Radice Park - 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa
Tampa residents can report flooding issues by calling 813-274-3101.
City of Plant City residents can pick up to 10 free sandbags on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at 4702 Sydney Rd. People are asked to bring their city of Plant City utility bill and photo identification and must live within the city's limits.
Manatee
Sandbag distribution will begin at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26. It's possible that the county will continue the operation on Tuesday, Sept. 27, the county reports. Sandbags will be limited to 10 bags per car and you must provide a valid ID to demonstrate city residency.
- Public Works Annex - 1411 9th St. W., Bradenton
Residents are instructed to use 13th Avenue W to enter the area behind the Annex, which is located at 1411 9th St. W.
The following locations are now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most will close on Tuesday.
- Bennet Park - 400 Cypress Ckreek Blvd., Bradenton
- Bradenton Area Convention Center - 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto
- Buffalo Creek Park - 7550 69th St. E., Palmetto
- G.T. Bray Park - 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton
- Manatee Beach - 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach
- Myakka Community Center - 10060 Wauchula Rd., Myakka City
- Rubonia Community Center - 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto
- Coquina Beach - 2650 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach
- Bayfront Park - 310 North Bay Blvd., Anna Maria Island
- Palmetto Youth Center - 501 17th St. W., Palmetto
- Robinson Preserve Extension - 10299 9th Ave. NW, Bradenton
- Palma Sola Park, 7915 40th Ave. W., Bradenton
- Palma Sola Causeway Park - 9917 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
- Manatee Golf Course - 6415 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton
- Pride Park - 6032 9th St. E., Bradenton
Pinellas
Sandbags will be available in the City of Dunedin starting 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25. The sandbag site is open to City of Dunedin residents and business owners. Limited to 15 bags per resident or business owner. Sand, sandbags and shovels are available at the site.
- Highlander Pool parking lot - 903 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin
The St. Petersburg Police Department will have sandbags available 8 a.m. to Sundown on Monday and 8 a.m. "until weather conditions permit" on Tuesday. Sandbags will be limited to 10 bags and you must provide a valid ID to demonstrate city residency.
- Lake Maggiore - 3601 Dr. MLK Jr. Street, St. Petersburg
- Northeast Park -875 62nd Avenue NE, St. Petersburg
- Northwest Pool - 2331 60th Street N, St. Petersburg
Sandbags in Clearwater will be available starting Sunday, Sept. 25. City workers will be there to provide assistance from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, you're also able to fill bags on your own. It's a self-service stop so also bring your shovel. The station will be open as long as sand is available.
Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex - 2450 Drew St., Clearwater
The City of Pinellas Park will open multiple self-service sandbags sites 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26. Residents will be allowed to get up to 10 bags. Residents must show a water bill and/or valid driver's license indicating they are a resident of Pinellas Park in order to receive their sandbags.
- Helen Howarth Park - 6401 94th Ave N, Pinellas Park
- Pinebrook Park - 7202 118th Ave N, Pinellas Park
- Broderick Park - 6101 66th Ave N, Pinellas Park
Pinellas County officials want you to know the use of sandbags. It's not meant for storm surges or tidal waters.
"The target purpose is going to be during the initial rain even when you get that first push of water," said Jordan Blendinger, the Pinellas County senior field coordinator. "[It's for] where the water can't drain down or the system is full and backed up."
At some locations, including Lealman Neighborhood Park, crews are distributing half the number of sandbags as originally planned, worried they'll run out.
"If you think you need more, come back again and get another 10," Blendinger said.
The county's recommendation is to stack the bags so they stagger in each row and make them as high as the water could rise in your neighborhood.
"But they're not meant to completely keep the water from getting in," Blendinger said. "Eventually, the water will get in."
Pasco
As of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, the county is temporarily out of all sandbags. Sand is still available, so residents are asked to bring their own shovel and bag.
Four sandbag sites have opened in Pasco County as of Friday, Sept. 23. The sites are self-serve and available 24/7, the county reports. Sandbags are provided, but you must bring your own shovel to fill the bags.
- W.H. Jack Mitchell, Jr., Park - 4825 Little Rd., New Port Richey
- Veterans Memorial Park - 14333 Hicks Rd., Hudson
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course - 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
- Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn) - 30908 Warder Rd., San Antonio
Two more sites will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24.
- Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, 3032 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes
- Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Rd., Wesley Chapel
Sarasota
Sarasota County will make sandbags and shovels available from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25. Be aware that there is a 10 sandbags limit per car. The county plans to continue the sandbag operation from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, as well.
- Ed Smith Stadium - 2700 12th St., Sarasota
- Twin Lakes Park - 6700 Clark Rd., Sarasota
- South County Fleet - 4571 SR 776/Englewood Rd., Venice
Another location in Venice will provide sandbags and shovels from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25.
- Wellfield Park - 1400 Lucaya Ave., Venice
Hernando County officials provided the following tips on how to best fill and stack your sandbags:
- Fill bags one-half to two-thirds of the way full
- Over-filled bags will result in a leaky sandbag wall
- Stack sandbags so that the seams between the bags are staggered
- Tuck the top of each bag under to ensure that that bag is sealed by its own weight