Central Florida counties start offering sandbags ahead of expected surge of tropical rain

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.

ORANGE COUNTY

The county will open its free, self-service sandbag program at select parks. Sites will operate on Monday, Oct. 7, and Tuesday, Oct. 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

WINTER PARK

Sandbags are available Monday, Oct. 7 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Rollins softball field located at 452 Harper Street. Please enter via Harper Street.

Limit of eight per resident or business owner within the city limits.

Proof of residency required.

Please be prepared for a Fill-It-Yourself model with the city providing shovels, bags and sand on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are physically unable to fill your sandbags, city staff will be available to assist those in need.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

Through a joint effort among Osceola County, Kissimmee and St. Cloud, residents may fill and make sandbags at Osceola Heritage Park beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.

Supplies will be provided including bags and sand. 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. Residents are advised to re-use filled sandbags they have at home from distributions earlier this year.

Sandbag Distribution Location:

• Osceola Heritage Park, (Shakerag Road): 1211 Shakerag Road, Kissimmee

• Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7

Sandbag Safety and Disposal Recommendations:

• Osceola County recommends that residents store uncontaminated sandbags for reuse during possible future storms. Sandbags that have not come into contact with water can be saved to be used in case of additional flooding.

• Uncontaminated sand can be used for gardens or flower beds and bags can be thrown in the garbage.

• Never use the sand from sandbags to fill children’s sandboxes or playgrounds.

• Residents wishing to dispose of sandbags may take them to the Bass Road Yard Waste Disposal Site at 750 S. Bass Road in Kissimmee

POLK COUNTY

Polk County Government Florida sandbag sites will be open to residents at the locations listed below Oct. 6 and 7 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sandbag site locations are:

Mulberry/South Lakeland: Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road

Lakeland: 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland

Fort Meade: 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade

Frostproof: 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof

Auburndale: 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale

Dundee: 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee

Poinciana Park: 5109 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee

A maximum of 10 prefilled sandbags will be provided to each household address to help prevent water intrusion into the home. You will need to bring a driver’s license to show your local address.

HAINES CITY

Beginning Sunday, Oct. 6, the City of Haines City will provide two sandbag fill sites that will open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in preparation for the approaching inclement weather.

The fill site locations will be at the Haines City Public Infrastructure Department located at 300 N. 5th St. and the Larry Parrish Baseball Complex at 2401 E. Johnson Ave.

A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household. Sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

SEMINOLE COUNTY

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS

In anticipation of Tropical Storm Milton, the city will provide self-service sandbag operations on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 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 Sunday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Unstaffed

OVIEDO

City of Oviedo sandbag operations will start Monday, Oct. 7 and will open at 10 a.m. and continue until 7 p.m. at 1725 Evans St.

The site will be self-serve, so please bring your own shovel. The city will provide sand and bags. There will be staff and volunteers on hand to assist if you cannot shovel your own bags. 10 bag maximum. You do not have to be a city resident to get sandbags.

Entrance and exit will be on Evans Street off CR 419. The Lockwood Blvd entrance will be closed to through traffic. This location is open to anyone who needs sandbags in lieu of Tropical Storm Milton.

SANFORD

Boombah Sports Complex

Overflow Parking Lot, 3325 Cameron Avenue, Sanford

Open Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; weather conditions permitting

Unstaffed

With heavy rainfall predicted starting tomorrow, and the potential for a storm to form in the Gulf of Mexico, City of Sanford sandbag operations is open for residents to prepare. Available at the Public Works Complex located at 800 W. Fulton St. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The city will provide sand and bags.

WINTER SPRINGS

The city of Winter Springs is offering self-serve sandbag operations at Central Winds Park.

Empty bags and sand will be available to all residents of Seminole County on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. or while supplies last.

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.

VOLUSIA COUNTY

Residents can pick up sand and sandbags from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, and on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the following locations:

• Volusia County Fire Rescue Station 23, Turnbull Station, 1850 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach

• Volusia County Fire Rescue Station 34, Indian Mound Station, 1700 Enterprise-Osteen Road, Osteen

Residents may fill their sandbags at both fire station locations and should bring a shovel. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household.

Additionally, the Volusia County Corrections Division will distribute pre-filled sandbags through a drive-thru service from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Volusia County Branch Jail at 1300 Red John Drive in Daytona Beach. Each vehicle is eligible to receive up to 10 pre-filled sandbags.

Proof of Volusia County residency is required at all three locations.

DAYTONA BEACH

The City of Daytona Beach will provide sandbag materials to residents from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Bethune Point Park, 11 Bellevue Ave. in Daytona Beach.

Residents are asked to bring shovels to fill sandbags. Sandbags are free, and there is a 10-bag limit per vehicle.

City personnel will be on hand to help residents needing assistance.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for city-generated emergency notifications via text and/or email. Visit www.DaytonaBeach.gov/Alerts to sign up.

For storm preparation and recovery tips, visit www.DaytonaBeach.gov/EmergencyManagement

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.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

New Smyrna Beach residents will have access to sand and bags 24 hours a day until further notice at a self-service distribution site located next to the Sports Complex football stadium at 2335 Sunset Drive. You’re encouraged to bring a shovel and reminded that there is a 15-bag limit per resident.

EDGEWATER

The City of Edgewater has stocked two locations with sand piles.

• Hibiscus Drive and 26th Street (in parking lot of Edgewater Fire Rescue Association Fire Hall)

• Mango Tree Lake (901 Mango Tree Drive)

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.

The Mango Tree Lake location will be staffed for sand bag distribution on:

• Saturday, October 5, 2024 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Sunday, October 6, 2024 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Monday, October 7, 2024 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Tuesday, October 8, 2024 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Wednesday, October 9, 2024 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

10 bags will be available per household with proof of Edgewater residency, while supplies last

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 on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. 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.

PORT ORANGE

Self-serve sandbags will be available at the field between the REC center (4655 City Center Circle, Port Orange, FL 32129) and the ballfields starting Saturday, Oct. 5 from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 6 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: City Center Complex between Dunlawton Ave & Herbert, NW of City Hall. Please use Herbert Street to access the site on Saturday.

Bags are limited to 10 per person and will be provided, but residents are asked to bring their own shovels.