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Where to find sandbags in Tampa Bay for Hurricane Ian

Tampa Bay area governments have opened or plan to open sites where people can get sandbags to help prepare for Ian.
 
Some Tampa Bay area governments are opening sandbag locations as Tropical Storm Ian sets its sights on the Gulf of Mexico and a potential landfall in Florida. The sandbags in this photo were made available for Tropical Storm Elsa last year.
Some Tampa Bay area governments are opening sandbag locations as Tropical Storm Ian sets its sights on the Gulf of Mexico and a potential landfall in Florida. The sandbags in this photo were made available for Tropical Storm Elsa last year. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]
Published Sept. 24, 2022|Updated Sept. 27, 2022

Some Tampa Bay area governments are opening sandbag locations as Hurricane Ian sets its sights on the Gulf of Mexico and a potential landfall in Florida.

Officials note that sandbags are meant to protect against water intrusion from minor flooding; they won’t do much to protect homes or belongings from moderate to severe flooding or storm surge. You can read a full story about that here.

Here are local governments that are offering sandbags:

Hillsborough County

The county issued this update on Tuesday morning:

The county will offer sandbags from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at three locations. There is a 10-bag limit per household and residents must show identification, such as a driver’s license or utility bill, verifying they live in the county.

The locations are:

Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City

E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin

Ed Radice Park, 14720 Ed Radice Dr., Tampa

Tampa

The city will offer sandbags from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice at three locations. Sand, bags and shovels will be available. Volunteers also will help people who cannot fill their own bags.

People must have documentation showing they are city residents and there is a 10-bag limit.

The locations are:

Himes Avenue Complex, 4501 S. Himes Ave.

Al Barnes Park, 2902 N. 32nd St.

MacFarlane Park, 1700 N MacDill Ave. (the site between Maxwell and Renfrew).

St. Petersburg

The city said sandbags will be offered from 8 a.m. to sundown on Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting, at three locations. People will need to provide proof of residency and will be limited to 10 sandbags.

The locations are:

Lake Maggiore, 3601 Dr. MLK Jr. St.

Northeast Park, 875 62nd Ave. NE

Northwest Pool, 2331 60th St. N

Pinellas County

Pinellas County will provide sandbags to residents who live in the unincorporated areas of the county. The locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or as long as supplies last.

The sandbags will be provided and shovels will be available. Residents are limited to 20 sandbags.

The locations are:

John Chesnut Sr. Park: 2200 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor

Walsingham Park: 12615 102nd Ave, Seminole

Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St N, St. Petersburg

County officials noted that the John Chesnut and Walsingham parks will be closed Sunday and Monday except for the sandbag operations.

Clearwater

The city will offer sandbags from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 2450 Drew St. City workers will be on hand to help residents who need it during those hours. After that, sand will be available for people to fill on their own as long as supplies last.

City officials said people should bring their own shovels.

Dunedin

The city of Dunedin said residents can pick up sandbags starting Sunday at the Highlander Pool parking lot, 903 Michigan Blvd. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. People must show proof of residency. Sand, bags and shovels will be provided, as will assistance to those who need it. People will be limited to 15 sandbags.

Pinellas Park

The city of Pinellas Park will open three self-service sandbag sites starting Sunday at noon. There is a 10-bag limit per household and residents much show proof of residency. Staff will be on site to help.

The following locations will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday:

Helen Howarth Park, 6401 94th Ave N

Pinebrook Park, 7202 118th Ave N

Broderick Park, 6101 66th Ave N

Pasco County

In Pasco County, six sandbag sites were open on Saturday. Sandbag sites are open 24 hours a day. Bags are provided but residents must bring their own shovels.

The sites are:

W.H. Jack Mitchell, Jr., Park: 4825 Little Road, New Port Richey

Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson

Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey

Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn): 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio

Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, 3032 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes

Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel

• • •

2022 Tampa Bay Times Hurricane Guide

IT'S STORM SEASON: Get ready and stay informed at tampabay.com/hurricane.

RISING THREAT: Tampa Bay will flood. Here's how to get ready.

DOUBLE-CHECK: Checklists for building all kinds of hurricane kits

PHONE IT IN: Use your smartphone to protect your data, documents and photos.

SELF-CARE: Protect your mental health during a hurricane.

• • •

Rising Threat: A special report on flood risk and climate change

PART 1: The Tampa Bay Times partnered with the National Hurricane Center for a revealing look at future storms.

PART 2: Even weak hurricanes can cause huge storm surges. Experts say people don't understand the risk.

PART 3: Tampa Bay has huge flood risk. What should we do about it?

INTERACTIVE MAP: Search your Tampa Bay neighborhood to see the hurricane flood risk.