St. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pinellas County is offering residents up to 10 free, pre-filled sandbags in preparation for hurricane season.
The new system replaces the need for residents to fill bags themselves, and county officials say people need to pick their bags up sooner rather than later.
The county opened its first year-round sandbag pick-up location at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Complex, located at 2855 109th Ave. North in St. Petersburg.
“Sandbags are not the silver bullet for the situation,” said Pinellas County Public Works spokesperson Marq Caughell. “So if you are expecting some low-level flooding up to about 15 inches, then the sand bags that we are giving away here and at some community events around Pinellas County, they are good for protecting one door.”
In previous years, self-serve bag locations opened once a storm was on the way, and the wait times could stretch for hours. County officials say they hope people will embrace the new system, and encouraged residents to be prepared long before a storm is coming.
Because there is now a year-round site now available, when a storm is near, it will not be open.
Sandbags can be picked up from the Pinellas County Solid Waste Complex Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free sandbags will also be given out at several storm preparedness events. For information on when and where they will be taking place, visit the Pinellas County emergency information website.
Jeff Van Sant
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