JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tropical Storm Helene is forecasted to intensify into a major hurricane by Thursday afternoon, potentially affecting the northeast Gulf Coast.
Many Northeast Florida counties are hosting sandbag distributions to make sure residents are prepared for the upcoming storm.
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Northeast Florida
Baker County
The County and the City of Macclenny will be distributing sandbags to citizens of Baker County beginning Tuesday, Sept. 24 from Noon until 7 PM, and Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. There is a limit of six (6) bags per household.
The bags can be picked up at the City Yard, located at 764 Hartline Drive in Macclenny.
Clay County
The county will have one location open for sandbags at the Clay County Fairgrounds, 2463 State Road 16 in Green Cove Springs, starting Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The sandbags are limited to 10 per person. Bags are first come, first served and have a limited supply. The county will refill the sites as needed.
You will have to fill up your own bags. Shovels are not provided. Residents should bring their own to fill their bags. The county will continue to offer bags until they are gone or if it becomes unsafe for our employees to be in the conditions.
Columbia County
Starting on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., sandbags will be available at the following locations:
- Columbia County Public Works, 607 NW Quinten Street, Lake City
- Fort White Community Center, 17579 SW State Road 47, Fort White
- Southside Sports Complex, 1963 Bascom Norris Drive, Lake City
Sandbags will be limited to 15 bags per vehicle. Pickup will be available Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 26 from 7:30 a.m. until to be determined based on the storm. Elderly or special needs residents should go to Columbia County Public Works for assistance in getting sandbags.
Nassau County
Three sites are open Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Representatives from Public Works will be on-site to assist with loading sandbags. Proof of Nassau County residency is required. Limit of 15 per person.
Below are details for all three locations:
- Yulee Road Department (pre-filled), 86200 Gene Lasserre Blvd., Yulee
- Yulee Ballpark (self-fill), 86142 Goodbread Road, Yulee. Sand is outside the gate and accessible at all times.
- Hilliard Road Department (self-fill), 37356 Pea Farm Road, Hilliard. Sand is behind the gate and will be accessible from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Putnam County
Sandbags will be available at the locations listed below at 5 p.m. These are self-service locations and you’re asked to bring a shovel.
- Chesser Pit - 145 West Washington St, Hawthorne
- Welaka - 51 Sportmans Dr, Welaka
- San Mateo - 341 Paradise Circle, San Mateo
- Peniel - 5226 Silver Lake Dr, Palatka
- Huntington - Jonas Rd, Crescent City (across from landfill)
St. Johns County
St. Johns County will provide free sandbags on Tuesday, September 24, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, September 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as long as weather permits, at the following six locations:
- Windswept Acres Park – 5335 SR A1A South, St. Augustine
- Solomon Calhoun Center – 1300 Duval Street, St. Augustine
- St. Johns County Equestrian Center – 8200 Smith Road, Hastings
- Mills Field – 1805 Racetrack Road, St. Augustine
- North Beach Park – 3721 Coastal Highway, Vilano Beach
- Palm Valley Bridge – East Side of Intracoastal Waterway
The sand and bags will be provided free of charge. The public 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. A sandbag typically weighs about 30 to 40 pounds.
Union County
Self-service sandbag operations are currently ongoing at the Union County Road Department (near the RMC West Unit and recreational complex) and at the City of Lake Butler’s old Wastewater Treatment Plant at 410 SE 11th St.
Southeast Georgia
Glynn County
Free sand and sandbags will be available beginning Wednesday morning at three locations:
- Fire Station #3 at 3129 4th Street, Brunswick
- North end of parking lot of Harold Pate Building, 1735 Reynolds Street, Brunswick
- St. Simons Island Fire/Police/Public Works Substation near the airport
People are asked to bring their own sandbags (if possible) and shovels.
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