Free sandbags available as Bradenton area preps for Helene. Here’s where to get them

As Tropical Storm Helene forms over the northwestern Caribbean Sea, free sandbag locations in Manatee County are open to help residents prepare for potential severe weather this week.

It’s part of the county’s local state of emergency declaration , a news release said.

As of Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center’s cone of uncertainty is projected along Florida’s Gulf Coast with Tropical Storm Helene expected to become a major hurricane with winds exceeding 110 miles per hour by Thursday.

“Currently we have 11 sandbag stations that are open and operational,” Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske said in a news release.

Sandbags can prevent flood waters from entering a home when used at entry points.

Free sandbags available in Manatee County

Sandbags are available at the following locations:

• Bennett Park, 400 Cypress Creek Blvd., Bradenton
• Blackstone Park, 2112 14th Ave., Palmetto
• Buffalo Creek Park, 7550 69th St. E., Palmetto
• Daiken Dairy, 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City
• Dam Road, 1505 Dam Road, Bradenton (Manatee County EMS Station 5)
• Greenbrook Park, 6655 Greenbrook Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
• Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton
• Myakka Community Center, 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City
• Palmetto Youth Center, 501 17th St. W., Palmetto
• Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto
• Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish
• Stormwater Facility, 5511 39th St. E., Bradenton

• Bradenton Public Works Annex, 1411 Ninth St. W. (City of Bradenton residents only; open until 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday)

• Palmetto Public Works Department, 601 17th St. W., Palmetto (City of Palmetto residents only; open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday)

• Bayfront Park, 316 N Bay Blvd., Anna Maria (Open until 5 p.m. Tuesday and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday)

To check the status of the other locations, visit the county’s extreme weather dashboard at MyManatee.org/sandbags .

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