ORLANDO, Fla. – With heavy rain and flooding possible in Central Florida, some counties are offering free sandbags to residents who want to prepare.
A surge of tropical moisture is forecast to drench Florida, but the exact location of the worst-hit spots is not yet known.
Below is a list of locations where sandbags are being offered. This list will be updated as more cities or counties announce their locations.
BREVARD COUNTY
In anticipation of the potential impacts from Hurricane Milton, Brevard County will continue to offer free sandbags for residents from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
Sites open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8:
- Chain of Lakes Park, 2300 Truman Scarborough Way, Titusville, FL 32796.
- Mitch Ellington Park, 577 Hall Road, Merritt Island, FL, 32953. Enter from West Hall Road.
- Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Dr., Melbourne, FL 32935. Enter using south access from Parkway Dr.
- Eastern Florida State College-Palm Bay Campus, 250 Community College Parkway SE Palm Bay, 32909
Sand is being provided by Brevard County Public Works and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office will have supervised inmate work crews filling and loading sandbags for residents. Residents do not need to bring sandbags, bags are provided and filled by on-site personnel. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. Please be aware, lines may be closed earlier than 6 p.m. to ensure a timely closure.
MELBOURNE
Sandbags will be available for city of Melbourne residents today, Oct. 8, while supplies last at Club 52/Greyhound Park located at 1100 N. Wickham
Up to 10 filled sandbags per vehicle will be provided to those with proof that they reside within the city limits of Melbourne.
FLAGLER COUNTY
We encourage residents, who need sandbags to protect their homes, to purchase them at local hardware stores. For those unable to do so, local governments are making them available as follows:
Countywide Residents (10 per household, self-service – please bring a shovel):
- Hidden Trails Community Center (6108 Mahogany Blvd, Bunnell) Tuesday: 10am to 7pm (Self Service, please bring a shovel)
- Bay Drive Park (30 Bay Dr, The Hammock) Tuesday: 10am to 7pm (Self Service, please bring a shovel)
City of Flagler Beach Residents (Self-service – please bring a shovel)
- Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church (915 North Central Ave) Monday: Tuesday: Starting at 9am - until sand supply is exhausted (Self Service, please bring a shovel)
City of Palm Coast Residents (10 per household, self-service – please bring a shovel)
- Indian Trails Sports Complex (5455 Belle Terre Pkwy) Tuesday: Starting at 8am (Self Service, please bring a shovel)
- 100 Fin Way (Corner of Belle Terre south of SR-100) Tuesday: Starting at 8am (Self Service, please bring a shovel)
City of Bunnell (10 per household, self-service — please bring a shovel)
- South Pine Street (200 block of South Pine Street) behind the Coquina City Hall
LAKE COUNTY
The County sandbag sites will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or until weather conditions become unsafe. Sand and bags will be available on-site - residents should bring their own shovels and will need to fill their own bags.
Residents who need help filling their bags can visit one of the three locations marked with asterisks (**). Those locations will have assistance on-site.
- East Lake Sports and Community Complex 24809 Wallick Rd, Sorrento
- North Lake Regional Park 40730 Roger Giles Rd, Umatilla
- Astor Fire Station 10 23023 State Road 40, Astor
- Minneola Athletic Complex 1300 Fosgate Road (13930 Education Ave), Minneola
- PEAR Gateway Park (Front Entrance) 26701 US Hwy 27, Leesburg
- St. Faustia Catholic Church, 15551 N Boggy Marsh Rd. Clermont
- Hickory Point Recreation Complex 27315 SR 19, Tavares
ADDITIONAL MUNICIPAL LOCATIONS
- Tavares OLD Fire Station, 424 East Alfred Street, Tavares, Open 24 hours
- Susan Street Athletic Complex, 940 Susan Street, Leesburg, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fire Station 22, 100 W Norton Avenue, Eustis
- Frank Brown Sports Complex, 1245 E Pine Ave, Mt Dora
MARION COUNTY
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management is actively monitoring Milton and has announced the opening of nine sandbag locations across Marion County.
Sandbag operations are OPEN 7am - 7pm Tuesday, October 8th. Please remember sandbag stations are self serve, but we encourage residents to bring a shovel to save time in line.
Sandbags are limited to 10 per vehicle.
For information or questions, please call the Citizens Information Line at 352-369-7500.
- Dunnellon Public Works, 11924 Bostick St., Dunnellon, Florida 34431
- Wrigley Field, 405 County Rd East 316, Citra, FL
- John Van Fleet Sports Complex, 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Ocala, FL
- Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview FL
- Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave Rd, Ocala, FL
- Marion Oaks, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, FL (Behind the Community Center)
ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County Government’s Office of Emergency Management is monitoring storm conditions. In preparation for heavy rain, the county will open its free, self-service sandbag program at select parks. Sites will operate Tuesday, October 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Barnett Park: 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
- Bithlo Community Park: 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando
- Clarcona Horse Park: 3535 Damon Road, Apopka
- Downey Park: 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando
- Meadow Woods Rec: 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando
- West Orange Rec: 309 S. West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden
Individuals with special needs who need sandbag assistance should contact Orange County 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
Sandbag distribution has ended.
POLK COUNTY
Sandbag distribution has ended.
SEMINOLE COUNTY
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS
Open Tuesday, October 8, 8am-3:30pm at Eastmonte Park and the Westmonte Recreation Center while supplies last and weather permits. https://ow.ly/HYnF50TEWM0
LONGWOOD
Candyland Sports Complex located at 599 Longdale Avenue - Open Tuesday, October 8, 8am-5pm
OVIEDO
City of Oviedo self-serve and assisted sandbag operations will open Tuesday, October 8, 7am- 5pm at Shane Kelly Park. Please enter on Waggin Trail off Lockwood, exit to State Road 426.
Entrance will be at 499 Waggin Trail and exit to SR 426. The Public Works Yard will need to close at noon to set up for debris collection after Milton passes.
You do not have to be a city resident to get sandbags.
SANFORD
* Boombah Sports Complex
Overflow Parking Lot, 3325 Cameron Avenue, Sanford
Open Tuesday, October 8, 8am-6pm
* 18th Street Park, 430 W. 18th Street, Sanford
Open Tuesday, October 8, 8am-5pm
WINTER SPRINGS
The city of Winter Springs is offering self-serve sandbag operations at Central Winds Park.
Open Tuesday, October 8, 8am-5pm
Residents are limited to 15 sandbags per household. They should bring their own shovels and gloves and be prepared to fill and load the bags themselves.
Drivers should enter Central Winds Park via SR-434 and Central Winds Drive. Once inside the park, continue on to the roundabout to the left and then straight to the parking area at the rear of the park.
SUMTER COUNTY
Sumter County will have self-service sand and sandbags available at the Lake Panasoffkee Regional Recreation Park, 1589 CR 459, Lake Panasoffkee, FL, on Tuesday, October 8 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Volusia County’s pre-filled sandbag distribution site has been moved from the Volusia County Branch Jail and is now being hosted at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand until 4 p.m. today. There will be two drive-thru lines, including a self-service lane for individuals to load their bags and an assisted service lane for those needing help.
Volusia County’s self-service sandbag distribution sites are open until 5 p.m. today, at the following locations:
• Fire Rescue Station 22, Oak Hill Station, 213 N. U.S. Highway 1, Oak Hill
• Fire Rescue Station 23, Turnbull Station, 1850 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach
• Fire Rescue Station 34, Indian Mound Station, 1700 Enterprise-Osteen Road, Osteen
• Fire Rescue Station 45, St. Johns Station, 2580 W. State Road 44, DeLand
Residents may receive 10 sandbags at each location, should bring a shovel, and are reminded not to block the fire station bays at any of the locations to ensure emergency personnel can quickly respond to emergencies if needed. All Volusia County sandbag sites are open to all residents, regardless of whether they live in an incorporated city or an unincorporated area, with proof of Volusia County residency. A comprehensive list of sandbag locations, including those operated by the municipalities, may be found on the Volusia Emergency Management app.
Volusia County staff remain in close coordination with state officials and the National Weather Service to monitor potential local impacts. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by downloading the Volusia Emergency Management app, following the County’s social media channels, or visiting www.volusia.org for updates
HOLLY HILL
Sandbag operations will begin Sunday Oct. 6, from 12-6 p.m., and continue through Wednesday Oct. 9, as needed.
Holly Hill residents can pick up sandbags at the Public Works Department lot located at 424 Tenth St.
Please bring a shovel and identification showing a Holly Hill address. Empty bags will be provided, with a limit of 10 bags per household. Assistance will be provided to any handicapped individual.
EDGEWATER
The City of Edgewater has stocked three locations with sand piles.
- Airport Staging Area, 1898 Air Park Road
- Fire Station 57, 2628 Hibiscus Drive
- Mango Tree Lake (901 Mango Tree Drive) until 6 p.m.
Both locations are accessible 24 hours a day. Residents should bring their own shovels and bags outside of staffed hours at the Mango Tree Lake location. The Hibiscus location will not be staffed so residents must bring their own bags and shovels. Bags may also be purchased at local home supply centers or double-bagged, heavy-duty garbage bags may be used.
10 bags will be available per household with proof of Edgewater residency, while supplies last
NEW SMYRNA BEACH
New Smyrna Beach residents with proof of residency can remain in their vehicles and receive up to 10 pre-filled sandbags while supplies last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 via our drive-through service lane located north of the Sports Complex football stadium at 2335 Sunset Dr.
Access to sand piles and fillable bags at our self-service distribution site on the grass field located south of the stadium remains open 24 hours a day until further notice. Limit 15 bags per resident; please bring a shovel and proof of residency.
Stormwater pumps, generators, high-water rescue vehicles, and other heavy equipment are being staged throughout the city to provide rapid response if needed. Residents are encouraged to secure outdoor items, prepare for flooding, and have enough non-perishable food, water, and medicine for at least 72 hours.
City staff will be standing by to answer questions in our Citizen Information Center at 386-402-7675.
ORANGE CITY
Orange City sandbags will be available Monday, Oct. 7 at the Waggin’ Trail Dog Park located at 1201 South Leavitt Ave. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Please bring proof of residency.
ORMOND BEACH
A self-serve sand pile and fillable sandbags will be available at the:
- Nova Community Center located at 440 N. Nova Road until 4 p.m.
- Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd. until 4 p.m.
Ormond Beach residents can show their ID to receive up to 10 complimentary fillable bags. Residents will need to bring a shovel and fill/load the bags into their vehicle.
Residents with special needs can request delivery of sandbags to their residence if they are unable to fill sandbags, or unload sandbags from their vehicle. Residents may request this service through an online form on the city’s website or by contacting the Public Works Department directly.