SANFORD, Fla. – Hurricane season is well underway, but as the tropics remain very active, some cities and counties are taking notice.
Seminole County and Sanford announced Friday that sandbag locations will be open this weekend as Idalia is expected to strengthen on a projected path toward Florida as a hurricane.
A lot remains unknown about the tropical system, which will impact Florida this week.
Here’s where sandbags are being offered:
FLAGLER COUNTY
Flagler County will have sandbag stations at the following locations:
- Hidden Trails Community Center, 6108 Mahogany Boulevard, Bunnell (Daytona North), Tuesday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Bay Drive Park, 30 Bay Drive, Palm Coast (The Hammock), Tuesday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, 915 N. Central Avenue, Flagler Beach -- self-serve while supplies last
- Indian Trails Sports Complex, 5455 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, Tuesday, August 29, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – limit 10 bags per resident
LAKE COUNTY
Sandbags are available at seven Lake County locations beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, August 28.
Residents must bring their own shovels and are limited to 10 bags of sand per household. Residents are responsible for filling their own bags.
Sandbags will only be offered before the storm – no sandbags will be dispensed once storm conditions begin.
- East Lake Sports and Community Complex at 24809 Wallick Road in Sorrento
- North Lake Regional Park at 40730 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla
- Astor Fire Station 10 at 23023 State Road 40 in Astor
- Minneola Athletic Complex at 1300 Fosgate Road (13930 Education Ave) in Minneola
- PEAR Gateway Park (Front Entrance) at 26701 US Highway 27 in Leesburg
- Four Corners Fire Station 112 at 16240 CR 474 in Clermont
- Hickory Point Recreation Complex at 27315 SR 19 in Tavares
- New City of Tavares sandbag location open at the Old Fire and Train Station in Tavares, at 424 East Alfred Street
CLERMONT
The City of Clermont is offering an additional sandbag location for residents at the West Park ball fields in Clermont, 658 12th St.
The sandbagging location is open on Monday, Aug. 28 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
EUSTIS
The City of Eustis if offering sandbags at the Eustis Fire Department Station 22, located at 100 W. Norton Avenue. Sand bags and shovels are provided. Self-service sandbags are limited to 10 bags per household (while supplies last).
LEESBURG
City officials said the Leesburg Public Works Department has sandbags available at the Susan Street Athletic Complex located at 940 Susan Street.
The site will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
Residents must bring their own shovel and bag their own sand. Sandbags are limited to 10 per household.
MARION COUNTY
The following sandbag locations will be open from noon until 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28 and from 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29 until weather conditions force the county to stop operations.
All sandbag locations will also be self-service, though bags will be provided.
- Belleview Sports Complex at 6501 SE 107th Street in Belleview
- Dunnellon Public Works at 11924 Bostick Street in Dunnellon
- Ed Croskey Recreation Center at 1510 NW Fourth Street in Ocala
- Jervey Gantt Park at 2200 SE 36th Ave. in Ocala
- Martel Recycling Center at 296 SW 67th Ave. in Ocala
- Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center) at 800 NE Sanchez Ave. in Ocala
- Wrigley Fields at 405 County Road E 316 in Citra
- Marion Oaks Community Center at 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala
ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County Public Works is making sandbags available to residents preparing for potential impacts from Idalia.
Five sandbag locations will open to residents on Monday, August 28, at noon.
The Parks and Recreation Division and the Public Works Department will have bags and sand available on a self-serve basis. Residents will need to bring their own shovel or spade to fill their bags. Orange County will provide 10 unfilled sandbags and direct residents to the sand pile.
Individuals with special needs who need sandbag assistance should contact Orange County 311.
The sites will operate from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, August. 29, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., pending severe weather.
Locations are subject to close earlier than scheduled due to weather conditions.
- West Orange Recreation Center at 309 S. West Crown Point Road in Winter Garden
- Clarcona Horse Park / Clarcona Outpost at 3535 Damon Road in Apopka
- Bithlo Community Park at 18501 Washington Avenue in Orlando
- Meadow Woods Recreation Center/Meadow Woods Park at 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle in Orlando
- Downey Park at 10107 Flowers Avenue in Orlando
OCOEE
The city of Ocoee will open a self-serve sandbag distribution site on Monday, August 28, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Public Works Department at 301 Maguire Road. Sandbags will also be available on Tuesday, August 29, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ocoee residents must bring a valid ID or city utility bill for proof of residency. Each household will be provided 10 empty sandbags to be filled by the resident. Sand is available at Public Works and staff will provide tools to fill sandbags; however, residents are encouraged to bring their own shovel or trowel.
Ocoee household trash, yard waste and recycle collection services will continue as normal at this time. Residents should place carts at the curb the night before their scheduled pickup day.
WINTER PARK
The city is setting up a sandbag distribution site in the Rollins College softball field parking lot, 452 Harper St. This is only open to residents of the city. People are asked to enter the parking lot via Harper Street and bring proof of residency.
The sandbagging location will be open on:
- Monday, Aug. 28 from 2 to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 8 a.m. to Noon
There is a limit of eight bags per resident or business.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
In preparation for potential severe weather conditions due to Idalia, Osceola County residents may fill and make sandbags at Osceola Heritage Park beginning at noon Monday, August 28.
Supplies will be provided, including bags and sand, in a joint effort between the county and the cities of St. Cloud and Kissimmee.
Residents are allowed 25 sandbags per household and will need to bring their own shovel or filling tool.
Supplies are limited, and sandbags will be available for filling on a first-come, first-served basis at:
- Sandbags are available today, August 29, 2023, until 4 p.m. at Osceola Heritage Park (1875 Shakerag Road, Kissimmee, FL). Residents are allowed 25 sandbags per household and must bring their own shovel or filling tools.
POLK COUNTY
Polk County is making sandbags available to residents at Roadway Maintenance Units on Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sandbag sites can be found at the following locations:
- Mulberry – 900 NE 5th St., Mulberry — 863-519-4734
- Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland — 863-815-6701
- Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade — 863-285-6588
- Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof — 863-635-7879
- Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale — 863-965-5524
- Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee — 863-421-3367
- Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegany Road, Kissimmee
There is a limit of 10 sandbags per person.
SEMINOLE COUNTY
Empty bags and dirt will be available to all residents of Seminole County; residents should bring their own shovel and gloves and be prepared to fill and load the bags themselves. Staff is unable to provide assistance. Filled sandbags can weigh approximately 30 pounds, so it is recommended to bring a partner to assist.
COUNTY LOCATIONS:
Boombah Sports Complex (Overflow Parking Lot) 3325 Cameron Ave, Sanford
- Remain open Tuesday, August 28, 8 a.m. – TBD
CITY LOCATIONS: Check with cities for the most up-to-date information.
City of Lake Mary 550 Rantoul Ln, Lake Mary
- Remain open Tuesday, August 29, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
City of Longwood - Candyland Park 599 Longdale Ave, Longwood
- Remain open Tuesday, August 29, 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
City of Oviedo - Public Works 1655 Evans St, Oviedo
- Remain open Tuesday, August 29, 7 a.m. – TBD
City of Sanford - Sanford Public Works 800 Fulton Street, Sanford
- Remain open Tuesday, August 29, 8 a.m. - TBD
City of Winter Springs - Central Winds Park 1000 Central Winds Dr, Winter Springs
- Remain open Tuesday, August 29, 8 a.m. – TBD
For more information, visit the city’s website here.
LAKE MARY
Sandbag operations will take place until 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Lake Mary Sports Complex located at 550 Rantoul Lane.
There is a 10-bag max per household and you must bring your own shovel.
LONGWOOD
Candyland Sports Complex - Monday 8/28 from 11a-6p - Self-Serve - 10 Bags Max per Family.
OVIEDO
The city of Oviedo will offer sandbags Monday at the Public Works Facility from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Officials recommend entering and exiting the location off of Evans because the entrance and exit leading to Lockwood will be closed for operations.
Staff will assist residents in using a new sandbag-filling machine.
SANFORD
The city of Sanford is offering sandbags for residents to help prepare for possible impacts from the tropical (disturbance). Empty sandbags and sand will be available at 800 W. Fulton Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. You will need to bring your own shovel and gloves. Stay connected and stay informed at sanfordfl.gov.
WINTER SPRINGS
The city of Winter Springs will be providing sandbags through Tuesday evening on Aug. 29 at Central Winds Park, located at 1000 Central Winds Drive. Empty bags and sand will be available to all Seminole County residents from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. or while supplies last. Residents will be limited to a total of 15 sandbags per household and should bring their own shovels and gloves, as they will be required to fill and load the bags themselves. Filled sandbags can weigh up to around 35 pounds.
On Monday, the city distributed 2,000 bags to residents, according to city officials.
For more information, visit the city’s website here.
SUMTER COUNTY
County leaders announced that sandbags would be available at the Lake Panasoffkee Regional Park at 1589 CR 459 from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28. The sandbag operations are scheduled to continue on Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
To obtain sand and sandbags, residents will be required to show proof of residency within the county and should bring a shovel if they have one.
The county’s website states that residents will have to fill their own sandbags, and there is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
DAYTONA BEACH
The city of Daytona Beach will offer sandbags from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Bethune Point Park at 11 Bellevue Ave.
Residents are asked to bring their own shovel to fill sandbags. There is no charge for sandbags and there is a 10-bag limit per vehicle.
DEBARY
Sandbags are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 16 Colomba Road. Residents should bring a shovel and identification.
There is a limit of 10 bags per residence.
DELAND
The city’s sandbag location will be open from 3-7 p.m. on Monday with hours to be determined on Tuesday.
The sandbag station will be located in the parking lot south of Melching Field located at 601 South Woodland Boulevard, at the corner of East Hubbard Avenue and South Woodland Boulevard.
Sand and bags will be on site. Please bring your shovel and ID for proof of residency.
There will be a limit of 10 bags per residence.
DELTONA
Two sandbag locations will be open Sunday from 12-6 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
This is a self-service operation where bags will be provided to our residents, but you should bring a shovel and someone to help with the bagging process.
The locations are:
- Festival Park: 191 Howland Blvd.
- Day Road location: 2931 Day Road
EDGEWATER
The City of Edgewater stocked three locations with sand piles:
- Fire Station 57, 2628 Hibiscus Drive (open 24 hours a day)
- Mango Tree Lake, 901 Mango Tree Drive (open 24 hours a day)
Residents should bring their own shovels and bags outside of staffed hours at the Mango Tree Lake location. The staffed hours are:
- Monday from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Fire Station 57 location will not be staffed.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH
New Smyrna Beach is opening a sandbag location at the Sports Complex, 2335 Simset Drive. This location is only open to people living in the city and proof of residency is required.
The location will be open on:
- Monday, Aug. 28 from noon to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Residents will be given a roll of 15 bags during operating hours, but they must bring their own shovels. The sand piles will be available to residents after hours through Wednesday, Aug. 30.
ORANGE CITY
Orange City residents may pick up sandbags from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the Waggin’ Trail Dog Park, 1201 S. Leavitt Ave. Residents should bring a shovel and identification and fill their own bags. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household. ID is required. If the demand is still high at 7 p.m., the site will remain open to serve residents.
ORMOND BEACH
A self-serve sand pile and fillable sandbags are available at the Nova Community Center, 440 N. Nova Road, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Ormond Beach residents can show their ID to receive up to 10 fillable bags. Residents should bring a shovel and fill and load the bags into their vehicles.
PONCE INLET
The Town of Ponce Inlet is providing sand and sandbags from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the Ponce Inlet Community Center, 4670 S. Peninsula Drive. Residents should bring a shovel and fill their own bags. There is a limit of 10 bags per resident, and identification is required. Hurricane passes will also be available.
PORT ORANGE
The city of Port Orange will open up its sandbag distribution site on Monday, August 28, for Port Orange residents.
The site is located in the field next to the REC Center at 4655 City Center Circle, in the City Center Complex between Dunlawton Avenue and Herbert Street, on the northwest side of City Hall. and will be open from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. The site will also be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Hours could change depending on weather.
This is a self-service site and you must bring your identification and a shovel. Staff will provide bags for use. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per person.
SOUTH DAYTONA
Sandbags are available from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the Piggotte Community Center, 504 Big Tree. Residents should bring proof of residency.