Multiple Northeast Florida counties are offering sandbags as Elsa is expected to impact the area.
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Here’s a county-by-county look at where to find sandbags:
Alachua County
Sandbags are available in High Springs ahead of Elsa.
The High Springs Fire Department said sandbags will be offered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Park at 17380 NW U.S. Highway 441.
The sandbags are self-serve. No staff will be available to fill or load.
The Fire Department said the limit is 10 bags per household.
Alachua County also had sandbags available for residents from noon to 5 p.m. Monday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Wayside Park at 11855 NW U.S. 441. There was a limit of 10 bags per person.
Baker County
The city of Macclenny said that sand and sandbags will be made available at the city yard until 7 p.m. Tuesday and again after 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Eight sandbags are allowed per home, and you must bring your own shovel.
For more information, call City Hall at 904-259-6261.
Bradford County
Bradford County is offering free sandbags to its residents in preparation for Elsa.
Pre-filled sandbags are being distributed at the Bradford County Public Works site located on West Market Road. The entrance to the yard will be closed to westbound traffic -- coming from U.S. Highway 301. To get to the sandbag distribution site, enter West Market Road from NW State Road 16.
Here is the schedule for the site:
- Tuesday, July 6, from 7 a.m. to TBD.
According to Bradford County Emergency Management, there will be a limit of 15 sandbags per vehicle.
In addition, self-serve sites have been set up at Bradford County Fire Rescue Station 40 at 21412 NW S.R. 16 in Heilbronn Springs and Station 90 at 13641 SW County Road 227 in Sampson City. Residents are asked to bring their own shovel if they use those sites.
Columbia County
Columbia County is offering sandbags from noon until 9 p.m. Tuesday at the following locations:
- Columbia County Public Works at 607 NW Quinten St., Lake City, FL 32055
- Fort White Community Center at 17579 State Road 47, Fort White, FL 32038
According to Columbia County Emergency Management, elderly assistance is available at each location. There is a limit of 15 bags per person.
Clay County
Clay County is offering sandbags from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Omega Park at 4317 County Road 218 in Middleburg.
You must fill your own sandbags. Shovels are available at the site.
Sandbags are limited to 10 per vehicle.
Clay County officials said this is the only location offering sandbags in the county.
Putnam County
Starting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, sandbags were available to residents at four locations in Putnam County:
- Huntington Landfill at 1551 County Road 308 in Crescent City.
- East Palatka Community Park at 223 Putnam County Blvd. in Palatka.
- Bardin Volunteer Fire Department at 107 Johns Road in Palatka.
- Chesser Sand Pit at 145 West Washington St. in Hawthorne.
Residents are advised to bring a shovel and be prepared to fill their own sandbags.
Nassau County
Nassau County Public Works has sandbags available for residents who may need them.
According to Nassau County Emergency Management, Elsa is expected to bring 2-4 inches of rain to Nassau County, and even though the amount is similar to a strong thunderstorm, Nassau County has experienced a lot of rain recently. Those living in low-lying areas prone to flooding may wish to use sandbags as an extra precaution.
The bags are already filled and ready to go. They can be picked up until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the following locations:
- Yulee Road Department at 86200 Gene Lasserre Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097
- Hilliard Road Department at 37356 Pea Farm Road, Hilliard, FL 32046
Public Works employees will be present to help you load them.
Anyone with questions is asked to call the Road Department at 904-530-6175.
No sandbags offered in your county?
If you think sandbags are a necessity, but your county is not providing them, visit a local hardware store.
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Tips on using sandbags
The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center offers tips on using sandbags for flood protection.
According to the center, when filled and stacked properly, sandbags alone can hold back floodwater, but they are most effective when used with plastic sheeting.
The center advises filling bags one-half to two-thirds full. The bag, when filled, should lie fairly flat.
The center also suggests stacking sandbags so the seams between bags are staggered. Tuck the top of each bag under so the bag is sealed by its own weight.