EDGEWATER, Fla. – Residents of the Florida Shores neighborhood in Edgewater are busy preparing for potential flooding.
Many gathered to fill sandbags, hoping to protect their homes because of Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 in the Gulf.
“It’s stressful,” said resident Crystal Nelson. “Living next to the canal, it fills up fast. We’re just trying to keep the water away from the house.”
The sandbag distribution site set up by the city has seen steady traffic, with locals like this homeowner preparing their properties ahead of heavy rains.
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Some homeowners like Chandler Cook are new to Florida.
“I’m probably going to pile these sandbags around the front and back doors,” Cook said. “Just trying to prevent any water from getting in.”
As preparations continue, sandbags are being made available throughout Central Florida. In Volusia County, residents can pick up sandbags at the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach on Tuesday from 1-5 p.m.
Additional sandbag locations include:
- Central Winds Park in Winter Springs, self-serve starting Tuesday at 8 a.m.
- Public Works Maintenance Yard in Oviedo, open from noon to 7 p.m.
- Various Orange County locations, including Barnett Park, Bithlo Community Park, Clarcona Horse Park, Downey Park, and the Meadow Woods and West Orange Recreation Centers. These sites are open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All locations and times are subject to changed based on weather conditions.
As of Monday evening at 8 p.m., Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 had maximum wind speeds of 35 mph and was moving north-northwest at 7 mph.
Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday, according to the NHC.
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