Preparing for Dorian: Where to find sandbags

Counties around Jacksonville provide residents with do-it-yourself sandbags

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Hurricane Dorian eyes Florida's east coast, Jacksonville's mayor wants everyone to keep a close eye on the storm's track and prepare as city leaders monitor the potential impacts.

That means having the correct supplies on hand, knowing your flood zone and stocking up on sandbags if faced with the threat of flooding. In the list below, we'll be adding locations where you can find sandbags.

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Florida

Duval County

Sandbags are not provided by the City of Jacksonville in Duval County. Residents who think sandbags are a necessary should visit a local hardware store.

On Wednesday, Mayor Lenny Curry announced the activation of the Duval County Emergency Operations Center. For additional assistance, residents can call 904-630-CITY (2489).

WATCH: Mayor Curry calls for city to prepare for Dorian
 
FAQ: City answers your questions

During a briefing Friday afternoon, Curry explained why the city does not provide sandbags.

"Given the highest and best use of resources in dealing with storms, this has been in place in Jacksonville -- Duval County for a number of years now. Our experts have just deemed sandbags (are) not the highest and best use of resources in terms of protecting people and keeping them safe," Curry said.

Increte of North Florida Inc. reached out to News4Jax on Friday and said it would have sandbags for sale while supplies last. It's open until 4:30 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. The address is:

  • 9315 Old Kings Road South, 32257

Clay County

Supplies have been exhausted at all of Clay County's sandbag locations, and the locations are now closed.

St. Johns County

The City of St. Augustine said residents could fill up sandbags at multiple locations: 

  • Francis Field on West Castillo Drive on Thursday, August 29, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Windswept Acres Park, 5335 SR A1A South
  • Sims Pit, 536 South Holmes Boulevard
  • Hastings Community Center, 6195 South Main Street, behind the building
  • Mills Field, 1805 Race Track Road, in the overflow parking area.
  • Palm Valley, under the Palm Valley Bridge on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway.
  • North Beach Park, 3721 Coastal Highway (at the walkover).

The sand and the bags will be provided free of charge to residents. Residents must provide their own transportation and shovels, and will be responsible for filling their own bags. There is a maximum allocation of 20 bags per person.

Flagler County

The City of Palm Coast has sand and sandbags available for residents at several locations. 

  • A self-service sand station and sandbags are available during daylight hours at:
    • Palm Coast Public Works Yard located at 1 Wellfield Grade
  • Empty sandbags (but no sand) are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at:
    • Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Avenue
    • Palm Coast Utility Department, 2 Utility Drive
  • Sandbags can be filled at these two additional self-service sand stations:
    • Indian Trails Sports Complex, 5455 Belle Terre Parkway
    • Seminole Woods Neighborhood Park, 350 Sesame Boulevard

Other locations in Flagler County outside Palm Coast that will provide sandbags beginning Thursday include:

  • MalaCompra parking lot on MalaCompra Road in the Hammock Community Center
  • Old jail site at Utility Street and Old Moody Boulevard
  • Hidden Trails Community Center in Daytona North

Alachua County

Sandbags are available with a limit of 10 bags per person at the following locations:

  • Public Works, 405 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Citizens Field, 14000 NE 9th Avenue, Gainesville, on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bradford County

Sandbag distribution started Thursday at 12 p.m at:

  • Bradford County Sheriff's Office maintenance yard, 810 North Grand Street, Starke (Access will be off Davis Street at Bradford Gun & Pawn).

Baker County

No sandbag locations have been announced.

Columbia County

Columbia County Public Works will distribute sandbags Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday through Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a 15 bag limit per vehicle. Distribution locations:

  • Columbia County Public Works, 607 NW Quinten Street, Lake City, 32055
  • South Columbia Sports Complex, 17579 SW State Road 47, Fort White, 32038

City of Lake City Public Works will distribute sandbags Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

  • City of Lake City Public Works, 180 NE Gum Swamp Rd, Lake City, FL 32055

Nassau County

Sandbags will be available to Nassau County residents beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday at the following locations:

  • 97177 Pogey Place, Fernandina Beach (North End Boat Ramp) 
  • 86142 Goodbread Road, Yulee (Yulee Sports Complex) 
  • 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan (Walter Boatright County Building) 
  • 37356 Pea Farm Road, Hilliard (Hilliard Road & Bridge Yard)

Residents are required to fill their own sandbags. There will be a limit of 25 bags per household. Bags and shovels will be provided. Residents should bring their ID for proof of residency.

Nassau County officials said Sunday that 40,000 sandbags had been distributed, and 10,000 sandbags remained. Sites are open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Putnam County

There will be a 15 bag limit per vehicle and residents must bring their own shovel. Sand and bags will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at three locations including:

  • Huntington Pit, 1553 County Road 308, Crescent City
  • Chesser Pit, 145 W. Washington Street, Hawthorne
  • Public Works, 223 Putnam County Boulevard, East Palatka

Georgia

Camden County

Sand is available on a first-come, first-served basis in two locations:

  • Kingsland: Sand is available on Royal Parkway off Highway 17 across from Kingsland Fuel Depot
  • Woodbine: Sand and sandbags are available at the facilities building located at 1144 Godley Avenue

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