Sandbags are being made available to Central Florida residents in anticipation of heavy rains.
That's why officials in counties across the area want to make sure residents are prepared.
Experts are expecting 4 to 6 inches of rain so there is a potential for flooding throughout all of Central Florida.
Even in the rain, residents came out to load up and pick up sandbags. “I mean you wait until the last minute things happen. Murphy’s law if it can happen it will happen,” said Osceola County resident Joe Beggalry.
He along with many others in the community are worried as they live in Buenaventura Lakes, an area known for flooding.
“It’s already getting really bad. So when I go home now, I am going to put the sandbags around my front and back door patio because I have a pool, so that’s my biggest concern,” said Harry Clark, who also lives in the Buenaventura Lakes area.
County workers helped residents shovel sand into bags and load them into peoples’ cars.
There was a 25 household limit. And in one day alone, Osceola County gave out more than 7,000 sandbags.
We are expecting anywhere from 4-6 inches of rain, so there is a potential for flooding throughout certain low lying areas of Central Florida, like Buenaventura Lakes.
Brevard County
Residents can pick up sandbags daily at the Sheriff's Work Farm, 2955 Pluckebaum Road in Cocoa. You can get sandbags between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Only 10 sandbags are permitted per car.
Lake County
Residents in Lake County can fill sandbags at four locations throughout the county:
- ASTOR
Fire Station 10
23023 State Road 40 - ALTOONA
Fire Station 14
42700 State Road 19 - FRUITLAND PARK
Fire Station 53
2505 Spring Lake Road - CLERMONT
Fire Station 110
6234 County Road 561
Residents must bring their own shovels. They are allowed to take up to 20 bags of sand per household. Hours of pickup are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice.
Clermont
Clermont's Public Works Dept. will make sandbags available to residents starting Monday at 9 a.m.
The bags will be available at the department's offices located at 400 12th Street.
Osceola County
Residents in Osceola County can fill and make sandbags at several locations from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Residents are encouraged to bring their own shovel and someone to help fill the bags.
There is a 25-bag limit. Help will be available for those unable to fill the bags themselves.
- Road & Bridge Department 3850 Old Canoe Creek Road
- Road & Bridge Department 1698 S. Hoagland Boulevard in Kissimmee, 34741
- Poinciana Library 101 N. Doverplum Avenue in Poinciana, 34758
- Robert Guevara Community Center 501 Florida Parkway, 34743
- Kenansville Community Center 1178 S. Canoe Creek Road in Kenansville, 34739
- Holopaw Community Center 8801 Community Center Road in Holopaw, 34773
- Celebration Library 305 Campus Street, 34747
City of Kissimmee Residents:
Residents in the City of Kissimmee will be limited to three sand bags. Proof of residency with the city limits must be provided.
- The Corner of Mabbette Street and Alaska Avenue, across from the YMCA
City of St. Cloud Residents:
No locations have been listed. St. Cloud residents are encouraged to use the above county sites.
For more information, residents are encouraged to visit osceola.org. The Citizen Information Center will also open Sunday at noon. To contact, call (407) 742-0000.
Volusia County
Volusia County has not opened sandbag locations. However, they say they will if conditions escalate.
The county will, however, open a Citizens Information Center that residents can call for updates starting at 9 a.m. Monday. The number to call is 866-345-0345.
City of New Smyrna Beach Residents:
Residents can pick up sandbags on Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sand and bags will be provided, but residents must bring their own shovels and fill their own bags.
Proof of New Smyrna Beach residency required.
- New Smyrna Beach Maintenance Operations Department 124 Industrial Park Avenue
For more information about sandbags, residents can call 386-424-2209 during business hours.