Sandbag sites open in Tampa Bay ahead of tropical downpours

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — With tropical rains on the way, officials in the Tampa Bay area are offering sandbags to help protect homes from flooding.

The following counties and cities have opened sandbag sites:

Hillsborough County

City of Tampa : The City of Tampa is opening two self-service sandbag sites on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Himes Avenue Complex (4501 S Himes Avenue)
• Al Barnes Park (2902 N 32nd Street)

There is a limit of 10 bags.

Sarasota County

The Sarasota County Government is operating three sandbag sites, open Friday until 7 p.m.

• Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St.
• Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota
• South County Fleet Services, 4571 SR 776/Englewood Road, Venice

Supplies are limited to 10 sandbags per vehicle. Residents are encouraged to reuse their sandbags from previous storms.

City of Venice : The City of Venice is opening a sandbag site until 4 p.m. on Friday at 252 Seaboard Ave.

Residents must bring their own bags, or pick up bags starting at City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., or Venice Public Works, 1350 Ridgewood Ave.

Shovels will be provided. There is a limit of 10 bags per vehicle.

Town of Longboat Key : A self-serve sand bag station is open at the Broadway Beach Access. If residents need additional bags, they are asked to visit The Town of Longboat Key Public Works Department at 600 General Harris Street.

City of North Port : A self-serve sandbag station is available at the Larry Thoennissen Athletic Fields behind the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way.

Bags and sand will be available while supplies last, with a limit of 10 bags per vehicle.

Manatee County

Manatee County has seven self-service sandbag sites open from dawn until dusk.

• Buffalo Creek Park – 7550 69th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221
• Dam Road – 1505 Dam Road
• Greenbrook Park – 6655 Greenbrook Blvd, Lakewood Ranch
• Lakewood Ranch Park – 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton
• Myakka Community Center – 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City
• Rye Preserve – 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish
• Stormwater Facility – 5511 39th St E, Bradenton

City of Bradenton : Bradenton residents can pickup sandbags on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sandbags will be available at the Public Works Annex, located at 1411 9th Street West.

More sandbag sites will be added to this list as they become available.

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