Free sandbags available in Manatee County as stormy weather approaches. What to know
Ahead of inclement weather, Manatee County government officials announced three self-service sandbag locations for those in more flood-prone areas.
A coastal flood watch is in effect until 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
They include the following:
- Manatee Beach, 400 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach
- Coquina Beach, 1465 Gulf Drive South in Bradenton Beach
- Manatee County Utilities Building, 66th Street West in Bradenton
You must bring your own shovel, Manatee County officials said in a news release Tuesday afternoon.
Residents hustled around town Monday to gather sandbags and secure their property. Speaking with the Bradenton Herald, Cortez resident Bill Nicholson expressed surprise at the strength of the storm outside of hurricane season.
“I can’t believe we have to do this again!” he said.
Manatee County Code Enforcement Department staff are going door-to-door to hand out sandbags to Rubonia residents, the release said. Rubonia was impacted by flooding from Hurricane Idalia in 2023 as well as December’s storms.
According to county officials, residents should prepare for the weight of a sandbag. One bag can weigh as much as 50 pounds.
The Bradenton Police Department said on X, formerly Twitter, that sandbags are available to Bradenton city residents from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at LECOM Park’s parking lot located at 1611 Ninth Street West. There’s a limit to 10 bags per car and proof of city residency is required.
For a map of sandbag locations, visit mymanatee.org/sandbags.
This story was originally published January 8, 2024 at 4:07 PM.
