WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – As Helene continues on its path toward Florida, residents and city officials in Central Florida are preparing for the weather by storm prepping.
Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 counties, including all of Central Florida.
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On Monday, several cities announced they will be opening up sandbag locations.
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News 6 will add to the list of locations below as more locations open.
LAKE COUNTY
- East Lake Sports and Community Complex24809 Wallick Road, Sorrento
- North Lake Regional Park40730 Roger Giles Road, Umatilla
- Astor Fire Station 1023023 State Road 40, Astor
- Minneola Athletic Complex 1300 Fosgate Road (13930 Education Ave), Minneola
- PEAR Gateway Park (Front Entrance )26701 US Hwy 27, Leesburg
- Four Corners Fire Station 11216240 CR 474, Clermont
- Hickory Point Recreation Complex 27315 SR 19, Tavares
Clermont
Former public services facilities
400 12th Street
Now until 7 p.m.
Groveland
310 Crittenden Street
Now until 6 p.m. (While supplies last)
Lady Lake
Lady Lake Parks and Recreation is providing sand and sandbags at the intersection of W. Hermosa Street and Gibson Street Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. The limit is 10 bags per residence. Shovels are provided for use at the site, but residents must fill their own bags. Limited assistance will be available for those with special needs.
Leesburg
Susan Street Recreational Complex
940 Susan Street
Now until 5 p.m.
Mount Dora
The City of Mount Dora is closely monitoring the approaching storm and making preparations in the event it impacts our service area. At this time, all Mount Dora business functions, including customer service, are operating normally. We will keep the City’s website current with storm updates as they become available.
Sandbags: Frank Brown Sports Complex will open today Tuesday, Sept. 24, until 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. or until weather conditions become unsafe. Sand, bags, and shovels will be available on site - residents will need to fill their bags.
Tavares
Tavares OLD Fire Station 424
East Alfred Street
Open 24 hours. Limit: 10 sandbags
MARION COUNTY
Marion County is opening eight locations across the county.
- Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center), 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala, FL
- Ed Crosky Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala, FL
- 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)
The sandbag locations will begin operations at 12 p.m. Tuesday through 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday. These locations are self-serve, shovels will be available at the sites, but citizens are encouraged to bring their own. Officials request that citizens limit their use to 10 bags per vehicle.
ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County Public Works will offer self-serve sandbags on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Residents will be provided with 10 unfilled sandbags and directed to the sand pile on site. All residents will need to bring their own shovel to fill their sandbags. Individuals with special needs who need sandbag assistance should contact Orange County 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.
Locations:
- Barnett Park: 4801 W. Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32808
- Bithlo Community Park: 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando, FL 32820
- Clarcona Horse Park: 3535 Damon Road, Apopka, FL 32703
- Downey Park:10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando, FL 32825
- Meadow Woods Recreation Center: 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32824
- West Orange Recreation Center: 309 S West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Apopka
Sandbags will be available for residents beginning Tuesday, Sept. 24 at Edwards Field located at the corner of Forest and 1st Street (behind Kit Land Nelson Park).
Limit 10 bags per household. Shovels are available for residents to fill the sandbags.
The hours of operation are:
- Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ocoee
In preparation for heavy rains, a self-serve sandbag distribution site will open to Ocoee residents Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the city’s Public Works Department, 301 Maguire Road.
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.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
In preparation for potential severe weather conditions from Helene, through a joint effort among Osceola County, Kissimmee and St. Cloud, residents may fill and make sandbags at Osceola Heritage Park beginning at 12 p.m. today, September 24, 2024.
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas are urged to review their plans for heavy rainfall events. Based on observations, the County’s lakes and ponds have ample capacity to handle the expected rain.
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 FL 34744
- Hours of Operation: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. today
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, Kissimmee, FL 34746.
All residents should continue to prepare for severe weather by creating a family plan and disaster supply kit, securing personal property and having a place to go in the event of an evacuation. Learn more at readyosceola.org.
Residents should stay informed by monitoring weather reports and by receiving emergency phone alerts through Osceola’s free AlertOsceola service, by texting the word “alertosceola” to 888777.
POLK COUNTY
Polk County is making sandbags available throughout the county on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
A maximum of 10 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.
Locations listed below will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.:
- Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry
- 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 34759
SEMINOLE COUNTY
Altamonte Springs
The city will provide self-service sandbag operations at two locations on September 24 and 25 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. while supplies last and weather permits.
Sandbag locations:
- Eastmonte Park located at 830 Magnolia Drive (Off Ronald Reagan Blvd.)
- Westmonte Recreation Center located at 624 Bills Lane (Off Spring Oaks Blvd.)
Oviedo
Sandbag operations will open on Tuesday, Sept. 24, starting at noon and continuing until 7 p.m. at the Public Works Maintenance Yard at 1725 Evans St.
Residents are required to bring their own shovels. Crews will be on-site to assist those who need help and bags will be provided.
Sanford
Sandbag operations are available at the Public Works Complex located at 800 W. Fulton Street until 7 p.m.
Winter Springs
The city of Winter Springs will open self-serve sandbag operations on Sept. 24 starting at 8 a.m. at Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive.
Self-serve sandbag operations will continue Wednesday, Sept. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Empty bags and sand will be available to all residents of Seminole County from 8 a.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.
SUMTER COUNTY
In Sumter County, a self-service sandbag location is now open at Lake Panasoffkee Regional Recreational Park, at 1589 CR-459 from now until 5 p.m.
To obtain the sand and sandbags, residents will need to provide proof of residence within Sumter County and should bring a shovel if they have one. Residents pick up sandbags, fill them, and place them in their vehicles. There is a 10-sandbag limit per vehicle.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Volusia County will provide sandbags at the Volusia County Branch Jail, 1300 Red John Drive, Daytona Beach, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Residents must show proof of Volusia County residency and may receive up to 10 pre-filled sandbags per vehicle in the drive-thru line.
Several municipalities are also distributing sandbags. Most require proof of residency within their jurisdiction. Residents living in incorporated cities should contact their local government for eligibility guidelines.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by downloading the new Volusia Emergency Management app.
Daytona Beach
The City of Daytona Beach will provide sandbag materials to residents from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Bethune Point Park, 11 Bellevue Ave. in Daytona Beach. Sandbag operations will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Residents are asked to bring shovels to fill sandbags. Sandbags are free, and there is a 10-bag limit per vehicle.
DeLand
The city of DeLand will have sand and bags available for residents beginning at 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
The sandbag distribution site will be in the parking lot south of Melching Field, 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
In preparation for possible impacts from Tropical Storm Helene, the City of Deltona is extending sandbag operations to Wednesday, Sept. 25. The city will provide free sand and empty sandbags to residents from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Festival Park (191 Howland Blvd.).
Residents must provide proof of residence and fill their own sandbags.
Residents are asked to bring shovels to help expedite the sandbag filling. It is recommended to bring a helper. One to hold the bags and one to fill the bags. Staff will be available to help residents unable to fill their bags.
Please note, there is a limit of 10 bags per household.
Edgewater
The city of Edgewater has stocked two locations with sand piles:
- Southwest Corner of Hibiscus Drive and 26th Street
- Mango Tree Lake (901 Mango Tree Drive)
Information
- Both locations are accessible 24 hours a day and staffed at the hours listed below.
- Residents should bring their own shovels and bags outside of staffed hours at the Mango Tree Lake location.
- Bags may also be purchased at local home supply centers or double-bagged, heavy-duty garbage bags may be used.
Sandbag information:
- The Mango Tree Lake location will be staffed for sand bag distribution on:
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, September 25, 2024 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday, September 26, 2024 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM (weather permitting)
- 15 bags will be available per household with proof of Edgewater residency, while supplies last
New Smyrna Beach
With Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine forecast to produce tropical storm conditions over portions of East Central Florida this Thursday, sandbags are now available to New Smyrna Beach residents at the city’s self-service distribution site located next to the Sports Complex football stadium at 2335 Sunset Drive.
Access to sand piles and fillable bags will remain open 24 hours a day. Limit 15 bags per resident; please bring a shovel.
Orange City
Sandbags will be available Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Waggin’ Trail Dog Park located at 1201 South Leavitt Ave. from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Please bring proof of residency.
Port Orange
The city of Port Orange said it will open its sandbag distribution site on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at noon for city residents.
The site is located in the field next to the REC Center at 4655 City Center Circle.
Officials said the site will reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.. Hours could change depending on weather and the availability of sand.
It is a self-service site. You must bring your identification and a shovel. Staff will provide bags for use.
There is a limit of 10 sandbags per person. Staff will be there to assist residents who need help.
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