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Sand bag locations open around Pinellas
Article published on Monday, Aug. 18, 2008 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/081808_fpg-09.jpg) |
| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
| Pinellas Park city workers load bags of sand into SUV Monday morning as residents got ready for Tropical Storm Fay. Bob Leahy, foreman, said more than 3,000 sandbags were on hand. About 570 were distributed on Sunday. The city has two sandbagging machines. |
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PINELLAS COUNTY – Sand bags locations are open at several Pinellas County locations.
Sand bags are not an effective way to block or minimize water intrusion into homes or buildings, according to Pinellas County officials. But, some homeowners feel a sense of well being by utilizing sand bags.
Sandbags also might help redirect storm water and debris flows away from homes and other structures, provided the sandbags are properly filled and maintained. Sandbags usually last for only one year.
Sandbag Limitations:
- Sandbags will not seal out water and offer very little resistance to flooding.
- Sandbags are heavy and stacking them takes considerable physical effort.
- Fill sandbags 1/2 full.
- Sandbags deteriorate when exposed to continued wetting and drying for several months. If bags are placed too early, they may not be effective when needed.
- Sandbags are for small water flow protection – up to two feet.
- Protection from larger flow requires a more permanent flood prevention system.
Pinellas County sand bag sites
Self service locations where the citizen can the fill the bags themselves with sand or dirt and bags supplied by Pinellas County open pre-event from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Pinellas County personnel will be stationed at the sites to distribute the sand bags and maintain order. There are three locations open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- North Location: Chesnut Park, 3900 Sandy Point Road; 727-669-1951
- Mid County Location: Taylor Lake Park, 1100 8th Ave S.W.; 727-588-4847
- South County Location: Lealman Park, Corner of 39th Street and 54th Ave; 727-217-7256
Citizens of unincorporated Pinellas County must bring their own shovel and fill the sandbags that are provided. There is a 25 sand bag limit per vehicle.
Citizens who live within city limits should contact their municipalities for sand bag information. The following cities have announced sand bag locations opening to help people prepare for Tropical Storm Fay.
If the citizens live within city limits they should contact their city for the appropriate sand bag site.
Largo
Streets and Drainage Division personnel have set up a self-service sand bag location in the Kmart parking lot located at the intersection of Missouri Avenue and Rosery Road. Sand and bags will be available for Largo residents with instructions posted. Residents must bring their own shovel and are limited to 10 sand bags. Division personnel will monitor this location periodically to maintain an adequate amount of sand and bags. It will be open indefinitely until there is no longer any threat from the storm.
Tarpon Springs
Self-serve sand bag locations opened at 5 p.m. on Monday at Dodecanese Boulevard and Roosevelt; Live Oak Street municipal parking lot (east of Pinellas Avenue) and Dorsett Park on Levis Avenue.
Placing sandbags
- Take care in stacking sandbags.
- Limit placement to three layers, unless a building is used as a backing or sandbags are placed in a pyramid.
- Tamp each sandbag into place, completing each layer prior to starting the next layer.
- Clear a path between buildings for debris flow.
- Lay a plastic sheet in between the building and the bags to control the flow and prevent water from seeping into sliding glass doors.
Removing
- Homeowners should empty the material in the bags in their gardens or yards, then throw the bags in the trash.
- Before disposing of used sandbags, check for contamination. Sandbags exposed to contaminated floodwaters may pose an environmental hazard and require special handling.
The sand bags that are distributed by the Highway Department are poly bags and can be dried out and reused unless they are contaminated, damaged or falling apart.
- Check local municipal laws and environmental protection regulations.
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Article published on Monday, Aug. 18, 2008
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