Sandbag locations open in Hernando Co. after Withlacoochee River flooding

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Two sandbag locations are now open for Hernando County residents following flooding along the Withlacoochee River.

Sandbags are available at the Ridge Manor Community Center located at 34240 Cortez Blvd. in Ridge Manor , and Spring Lake Methodist Church at 4191 Spring Lake Highway in Brooksville, according to a Facebook post from Hernando County Emergency Management.

Each location will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. People picking up sandbags are asked to bring their own shovels to fill the bags.

Officials offered the following tips on sandbag usage:

• Only fill sandbags up halfway or two-thirds of the way.
• Overfilled bags could make for a leaky sandbag wall
• Stack bags in a pattern where the seams are staggered
• Tuck the top of each bag under so it seals itself with its own weight

On Friday, county officials urged residents living in the area of the Withlacoochee River to evacuate because water on the river was rising quickly .

“Do NOT drive through the floodwaters,” Hernando County Fire posted on X .

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