SARASOTA, Fla. — Sandbag sites are starting to open ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is on track to make landfall on the west coast of Florida.
With so many communities still reeling from Hurricane Helene and even Hurricane Debby, it's an unwelcome forecast. But, this time of year, it's important that we never let our guard down and take precautionary steps to protect life and property.
For those who want to take steps to protect their home, land, cars and other belongings, here is a list of sandbag sites around Tampa Bay:
Tampa:
Update: City leaders say sandbag locations will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
- Himes Avenue Complex (4501 S Himes Avenue)
- Hours of operation: Sunday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Al Barnes Park (2902 N 32nd Street)
- Hours of operation: Sunday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Larry Sanders Progress Village Sports Complex (5855 South 78th Street)
- Hours of operation: Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Ed Radice Sports Complex (14720 Ed Radice Drive)
- Hours of operation: Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The city is also providing free tarps at the sites on Sunday while supplies last. In a news release, officials said sandbags are more effective when paired with a plastic liner behind and beneath them to prevent and reduce flooding.
Pinellas County
Pinellas County has concluded sandbag operations. The county is urging residents to check their city for availability.
Bradenton:
- Public Works Annex (1411 9th St. W.)
- Hours of operation: Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- A valid ID proving city residency is required
- Distribution is limited to 10 sandbags per car
Pasco County
Sandbag stations are closed as on Wednesday afternoon.
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course (7223 Massachusetts Avenue)
- Pasco County Public Works (30908 Warder Road)
Additional locations will be open from sunrise to sunset on Saturday until further notice
- Veterans Memorial Park (14333 Hicks Road)
- Pasco Fire Rescue Station #29 (6907 Dairy Road)
The locations are self-serve and open to county residents. Officials advise bringing your own shovel.
Polk County
The following sites will be open to residents Oct. 6 - Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry
- Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland
- Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade
- Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof
- Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale
- Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee
- Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee 34759
- Reuben Williams Sports Complex - 1751 7th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881 * (Opening 9 a.m. Monday until dusk, reopens at 7 a.m. Tuesday and will remain open until 1 p.m.)
- A maximum of 10 prefilled sandbags will be provided to each household address. Residents will need to present a driver's license to show their local address.
Hernando County
All sites are closed as of Wednesday afternoon.
The following sites will be open beginning Sunday, Oct. 6, and will run daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weather permitting:
- Linda Pedersen Park (6300 Shoal Line Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34609)
- Anderson Snow Park (1360 Anderson Snow Rd., Spring Hill, FL 34609) *Enter through the service road between the park and the gymnastics place, the sand is located at the end
- Ridge Manor Community Center (34240 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor, FL 33523)
- Spring Lake Methodist Church (4191 Spring Lake Hwy., Brooksville, FL 34601)
Another location in Brooksville is open at 600 S. Brooksville Ave. It's open 24 hours a day and there is a limit of 10 bags per resident.
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County has concluded sandbag operations ahead of Hurricane Milton. Check with your local cities for possible sandbag locations.
Sarasota County
Sarasota:
- Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St.)- Closed as of 9 a.m. Tuesday
- Hours of Operation: Friday, Oct. 4 until 7 p.m.
- Distribution is limited to 10 sandbags per car
- Twin Lakes Park (6700 Clark Road)
- Hours of Operation: Friday, Oct. 4 until 7 p.m., Tuesday from 8 a.m. until noon
- Distribution is limited to 10 sandbags per car
- 17th Street Park (4730 17th St.)
- Hours of Operation: Tuesday from 8 a.m. until noon
Venice:
- South County Fleet Services(4571 SR 776/Englewood Road)
- Hours of Operation: Friday, Oct. 4 until 7 p.m.
- Distribution is limited to 10 sandbags per car
- 252 Seaboard Ave.
- Hours of Operation: Monday, Oct. 7 at 8 a.m. until supplies runs out
- Distribution is limited to 10 sandbags per car