Sandbag information is subject to change based on a multitude of factors including restricted hours and component availability. While we will do our best to keep this information as accurate as possible, please verify the provided information with your local municipality, county or local public safety agency.
[googlemap src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1B0xFjlC6Gntbwx81KauZm7pshs_i-vc&ehbc=2E312F" width="100%" height="600px" align=""]As Hurricane Ian moves toward Florida this week, counties across north central Florida are offering free sandbags to residents.
Sandbags can act as a floodwall at people’s doorways, preventing water from entering homes during storms and flooding, according to Accuweather.
Besides using sandbags, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends Floridians pay attention to evacuation orders, prepare an emergency supply kit, check on neighbors, and ensure they have flood insurance.
Here is where you can find sandbags in North central Florida:
Alachua County
Alachua County, now in a local state of emergency, will have one sandbag location opening at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. There will be a limit of 10 bags per person. The City of Newberry said it is running low on bags, as of 1 p.m. Tuesday. The sites will not be staffed after noon Wednesday.
- Wayside Park, 11855 N.W. US Route 441
- Lacrosse Recreational Park, 20407 N State Road 121, Alachua
- Gainesville Public Works Department, 405 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville
- Gainesville Citizens Field, 1400 NE 8th Ave, Gainesville
Bradford County
Bradford County offers two self-service sandbag stations. Bags are provided, but residents should bring their own shovels. There is a 10-bag limit at both sites.
- Bradford County Fire Rescue Station 90, 13641 SW County Road 227, Sampson
- Bradford County Fire Rescue Station 40, 21412 NW State Road 16, Heilbronn
Citrus County
Citrus County has two staffed and two self-serve sandbag sites open.
The self-serve sandbag sites opened Monday at noon and will remain open for 24 hours. Sand and sandbags are provided, but residents will need to bring their own shovel.
- Bicentennial Park, 501 N Baseball Point, Crystal River
- Floral Park, 9530 S Parkside Ave, Floral City
- Citronelle Park, 7888 W Dunklin St., Dunnellon
- Spruce Boat Ramp, 4863 E Spruce Drive, Dunnellon
The staffed sandbag sites are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. There is a limit of 12 bags per vehicle.
- 4210 S Grandmarch Ave, Homosassa
- 7500 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River
- Citronelle Park
Citrus County spokesperson Veronica Kampschroer said the county has not yet determined how many days the sandbag sites will be open for, but they should operate during the same hours on Tuesday.
Residents are advised to be wary of flooding, specifically near the coast, and bring in or secure any lawn ornaments that could become projectiles once the storm hits such as grills and lawn chairs, Kampschroer said.
Clay County
Clay County has five sandbags sites available. These are self-serve and open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each person is limited to 10 bags.
- Omega Park, 4317 County Road 218, Middleburg
- Eagle Harbor Soccer Complex, 4287 Lakeshore Dr., Fleming Island
- Old Fire Station, 25 Roderigo Ave., Green Cove Springs
- Keystone Heights Cemetery, 555 South Lawrence Blvd.
- Orange Park Athletic Association, 1086 Fromhart St., Orange Park
Columbia County
Columbia will have three locations open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The locations are self-serve, but assistance will be available for people who need help. Each vehicle is limited to 15 sandbags.
- Columbia County Public Works, 607 NW Quinten St., Lake City
- Southside Sports Complex, 1963 SW Bascom Norris Drive, Lake City
- Fort White Community Center, 17579 FL 47, Fort White
Dixie County
Dixie County is offering sandbags at one site. There are about 1,000 bags available, and each household is limited to 50. The county said it will make more bags if necessary, and residents are welcome to collect some at any time.
- 151 SE 309 St., Cross City.
Flagler County
In Flagler County, there are five sandbag locations, each with a limit of 10 sandbags per household. The sites will have sand, bags and staff.
- Flagler Technical College: 5633 N. Oceanshore Blvd., The Hammock will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fire Station 71: 89 County Road 2006 West, Bunnell will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Palm Coast Public Works Yard, 1 Wellfield Grade, off U.S. 1 and just north of Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until sand runs out.
- Daytona State College: 3000 Palm Coast Parkway SE, Palm Coast will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until sand runs out.
- Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church: 915 N. Central Ave., Flagler Beach will be open 2 to 6 p.m. and is available to Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach residents only.
“Between volunteers and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office work crews, there is manpower to help our residents,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord in a press release. “We are doing our best to help those who need it.”
Gilchrist County
Gilchrist County will have three sites open Tuesday at noon. The sites are self-serve with bags and sand provided. A spokesperson said official hours of operation have not yet been decided, but the sites should remain open “until the sand runs out.”
- Gilchrist County emergency management, 3250 US Route 129, Bell
- Trenton City Park, 115 NW 2nd Ave, Trenton
- Gilchrist County road department 1770 US Route 129, Bell
Hernando County
Hernando County has sandbags available at two locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sites will remain open until weather conditions worsen. These are self-serve sites, so residents will need to bring their own shovels.
- Linda Pedersen Park, 6300 Shoal Line Blvd.
- Anderson Snow Park, 1360 Anderson Snow Rd., Spring Hill
The county advises residents to fill bags one-half to two-thirds of the way full to avoid leaking, stack sandbags so seams between bags are staggered, and tuck the top of each bag under to secure them.
Lafayette County
Lafayette County is distributing sandbags at one self-serve location. Each household is limited to 25 bags. The location will be open roughly during work hours, until 6 p.m. each evening up until the storm hits, according to emergency management.
- 138 SW Community Circle, Mayo.
Levy County
Levy County has 10 sandbag locations.
- Gulf Hammock Fire Station, 2851 County Road 326, Inglis
- Empty lot across from Williston Police Department, 5 SW 1st Ave, Williston
- Cedar Key Community Center, 809 6th St., Cedar Key
- Rosewood Baptist Church, 6331 SW 98th Terrace, Cedar Key
- Yankeetown Water Plant
- Inglis Municipal Building
- Bronson Town Hall, 650 Oak St., Bronson
- Chiefland Maintenance Yard
- Fowler’s Bluff Fire Station, 15609 NW 46th Lane, Chiefland
- Morriston Fire Station 11
Madison County
Madison County has one sandbag location.
- Emergency Operations Center, 1083 SW Harvey Greene Drive, Madison
Marion County
Marion County has nine sandbag sites, all of which are self-serve. Locations are open until 5 p.m. Wednesday, weather permitting. Citizens are limited to 10 bags a vehicle.
- Dunnellon City Complex, 11808 N Ohio St, Dunnellon
- Wrigley Field, 405 County Road East 316, Citra
- East Marion Sports Complex, 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Silver Springs
- Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview
- Jervey Gantt Park, 2200 SE 36th Ave, Ocala
- Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center), 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala
- Hampton Center, 225 NW MLK Blvd, Ocala
- Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave, Ocala
- Marion Oaks, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, (Behind the Community Center)
Pasco County
Pasco County has six self-serve sandbag sites open 24/7. Sand is available, but residents will need to bring their own shovels. The county announced that it is running low on bags as of 1 p.m. Tuesday and residents should bring their own. Due to an “overwhelming demand,” households are limited to 10 bags each.
- 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 Avenue, 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
Putnam County
Sandbags are available available for pickup Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the following locations. Locations are self serve. Bring a shovel:
- Huntington Landfill, 1551 County Road 308, Crescent City
- East Palatka Community Park, 223 Putnam County Blvd, East Palatka
- Chesser Sand Pit, 145 West Washington St, Hawthorne
Sumter County
Bring a shovel if you have one and proof of residency. 10-bag limit per vehicle. Self serve. Sandbags are available until noon on Wednesday.
- Lake Panasoffkee Regional Recreation Park, 1589 CR 459, Lake Panasoffkee
Taylor County
Taylor County has two sandbag sites available.
- Steinhatchee roll off site, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Taylor County road department, open 24/7.
Union County
Union County has two sandbag locations. They are self-serve with a limit of 10 sandbags per person.
- Public Works, 640 SW 4th St.
- Union County Road Department, 15285 SW 84th St.
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This is a breaking news story. Check back for further developments. Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org .