Get Ready: Free Sandbags Available in Sarasota and Manatee Counties!

2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto, FL, USA - As hurricane season approaches, local communities are banding together to help residents prepare for the worst. In a collaborative effort, Sarasota and Manatee counties, along with Venice and North Port, have set up self-service sandbag stations to ensure residents are equipped for potential storms. Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins has emphasized that in a bid to enhance community readiness, additional days for sandbag distribution have been included outside of specified storm events. This proactive step is all about making sure everyone is ready when the skies start to darken.

From June 14th to August 10th, residents can pick up sandbags at three designated sites throughout Sarasota County. The locations include:

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

Each resident is allowed up to ten sandbags per vehicle, and self-shoveling is required, though shovels will be available on-site. The City of Venice is also participating, launching its sandbag operations on the same day at 252 Seaboard Ave., with future dates planned for July 19th and August 10th. North Port will follow suit with similar services behind the George Mullen Activity Center.

Manatee and Pinellas County Initiatives

Meanwhile, Manatee County is also getting in on the action, offering sand and bags from dawn to dusk at several locations until the end of hurricane season. Residents can visit:

• Blackstone Park, 2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
• Myakka Community Center, 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City
• Palma Sola Park, 7815 40th Ave. W., Bradenton
• Parrish Park Overflow Parking, 77550 Ft. Hamer Road, Parrish
• Rubonia Community Center, 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto
• Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish
• Manatee County Stormwater Facility, 5511 39th St. E., Bradenton

It’s important for residents to bring their own shovels as they are responsible for filling and transporting their bags while supplies last. A handy map of Manatee County’s sandbag sites can be found at mymanatee.org/storm.

In neighboring Pinellas County, residents are also getting a boost with temporary sandbag filling sites at John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor and Walsingham Park in Seminole. These locations will operate Friday and Saturday with assistance available for elderly and disabled residents, ensuring that help is just a shovel away.

Being prepared is the name of the game during hurricane season, and with these self-service sandbag stations available, local authorities are making sure that communities are ready to weather any storm that comes their way. So, grab your shovels and take advantage of these resources – after all, being prepared could make all the difference in protecting your home and family this hurricane season.

For more information on sandbag operations in Sarasota County, Herald Tribune reports that services are available on June 14th, July 19th, and August 10th. Additionally, check out WUSF for details on the ongoing sandbag giveaways in neighboring counties. Remember, it’s better to prepare now than to find yourself scrambling later!