Published Aug. 2|Updated Aug. 2
As forecasters watch a tropical system that could strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend, some local governments in the Tampa Bay area started offering sandbags on Friday.
Officials note that while sandbags can be an effective tool to prevent minor water intrusion, they do not stop storm surge or major flooding.
This story will be updated as more governments offer sandbags.
Here’s what to know:
City of Tampa
The city of Tampa opened three sandbag sites on Friday. The sites closed early Friday due to inclement weather but will reopen an hour early — at 8 a.m. Saturday — and remain open until 7 p.m. that day. The three sandbag sites are:
- Himes Avenue Complex, 4501 S. Himes Ave.
- Al Barnes Park, 2902 N. 32nd St.
- Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave.
Each household can take up to 10 sandbags, and new sandbag filling machines will be on site to make the process easier. City officials urge residents to pre-register at tampa.gov/hurricane.
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County opened the following sandbag sites on Friday morning:
- Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
- Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa
- Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa
The sites will be open until 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Residents can take up to 10 sandbags per household, and proof of residency is required. A driver’s license will serve as proper identification, according to the county.
For more information, visit HCFL.Gov/StaySafe.
Pinellas County
Two sandbag distribution sites will be open Saturday for unincorporated Pinellas County residents:
- Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 2855 109th Ave N., St. Petersburg. Pre-filled sandbags available.
- John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. Residents must fill their own sandbags; sand and shovels will be provided.
Both sites are open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday while supplies last. Residents are limited to 10 sandbags per vehicle. For more information, visit pinellas.gov/sandbags.
City of St. Petersburg
The city of St. Petersburg has closed its year-round sandbag location at the Pavement and Traffic Operations Building, 1744 Ninth Ave. N. Instead, emergency sandbag locations will be operational from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, or until weather conditions permit.
Staff will be available to assist seniors and others who need help with filling and loading sandbags at the following full-service sandbag 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: 2331 60th St. N.
The city’s self-service sandbag locations are:
- Dell Homes Park, 2741 22nd St. S.
- Fossil Park (northernmost parking lot): 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.
- Walter Fuller Soccer Field parking lot: 2800 75th St. N.
Each household can take up to 10 sandbags, and proof of residency is required. For more information, visit stpete.org/hurricane.
City of Pinellas Park
The city of Pinellas Park opened a drive-thru sandbag site Friday morning that is for residents only.
Residents can get up to 10 sandbags each. They must show a water bill or valid driver’s license indicating they live in the city.
The location is the parking lot at 6151 78th Ave N. in Pinellas Park. The location will be open until 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
City of Gulfport
Sandbags will be available at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. until there is inclement weather on Sunday. There is a 10-bag limit and proof of residency may be required. For more information, visit mygulfport.us/hurricane-center/.
City of Clearwater
Pre-filled sandbags will be available while supplies last at the Joe DiMaggioSports Complex, 2450 Drew St. There is a limit of 10 per vehicle, and they are meant for Clearwater residents only.
City of St. Pete Beach
Self-service sandbags are available year-round at Egan Park, 9101 Blind Pass Road.
City of Dunedin
Pre-filled sandbags will be available at the Highlander Park parking lot, 903 Michigan Blvd., from noon until 7 p.m. Friday or until supplies last.
Sand and bags also will be available after the pre-filled bags are taken.
The sandbag site is for residents and business owners with proof of residency, either a driver’s license or recent utility bill. There is a 15-bag limit per resident or business owner. Shovels are available on site. Help will be available for those with special needs.
Residents can call 727-298-3232 or 727-298-3233 if they need more information.
City of Safety Harbor
Sandbags will be available at the city’s Public Works yard, 1200 Railroad Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There is a limit of 10 bags, and proof of residency is required.
Town of Indian Shores
Indian Shores has opened a sandbagging station at the north end of the Municipal Center parking lot, 19305 Gulf Blvd. Sand, bags and shovels are available. Residents are limited to 10 bags each.
City of Madeira Beach
Sandbags and self-service filling are available at the Madeira Beach Public Works yard at the City Marina, 503 150th Ave. The site will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and residents must show a Madeira Beach ID. For more information, call 727-543-8154.
Town of Redington Beach
Sandbags are available at Town Hall, 105 164th Ave., with sand located behind the white gate across from Town Hall. Residents are limited to 20 bags each and must bring their own shovels.
Town of Redington Shores
Sand and sandbags are available throughout the weekend at Redington Shores Town Hall, 17425 Gulf Blvd. There is a limit of 10 bags per resident.
Pasco County
Four sandbag sites are open for Pasco County residents:
- Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
- Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn): 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
- Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
- Pasco Fire Rescue Station No. 29: 6907 Dairy Road, Zephyrhills
Sandbags are also available in Dade City and New Port Richey:
- Former Dade City Police Department building, 38042 Pasco Ave., Dade City
- New Port Richey Garage, 6420 Pine Hill Road, New Port Richey
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