JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Tropical Storm Debby approaches Florida, many Northeast Florida counties are hosting sandbag distributions to ensure residents are prepared for the storm.
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As of the 5 p.m. National Hurricane Center update, the depression has become Tropical Storm Debby over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and it continues to move to the west-northwest at 15 mph.
If the current path holds, the biggest impact for Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia will be overnight Sunday into Monday morning.
Here’s a list of sandbag distributions in our area:
Clay County
Clay County is offering free sandbags to help people seal their homes from possible flooding.
There are two sandbag locations that will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fleming Island: Eagle Harbor Soccer Complex - 4287 Lakeshore Drive
- Middleburg: Omega Park – 4317 County Road 218
Each person will get 10 bags, and people have to fill up their own bags. Bags are first come, first serve.
Shovels are not provided. Residents should bring their own to fill their bags.
St. Johns County
St. Johns County will provide free sandbags at the auxiliary parking lot of the Solomon Calhoun Community Center, located at 1300 Duval St. in St. Augustine, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4.
The public must provide their own transportation and shovels, and will also be responsible for filling their own bags, according to the county.
There is a limit of 20 sandbags per person.
Baker County
Baker County and the City of Macclenny will be distributing sandbags to citizens of Baker County beginning Saturday, Aug. 3 from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 4 from 1 p.m. until 5 pm. There is a limit of six bags per household.
The bags can be picked up at the City Yard located at 764 Hartline Drive in Macclenny.
Putnam County
Free sandbags are being provided by the City of Palatka across from the Palatka Fire Department’s main station on St. Johns Avenue on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Alachua County
The county will distribute sandbag bags (10 per car) beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 and ending at 6 p.m. at Wayside Park located at 11855 NW US 441.
Prefilled sandbags are available while supplies last. Sand and shovels will be available for self-serve.
The City of Gainesville will also have two sandbag locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The first location is at Citizens Field at 1400 NE 8th Avenue. This distribution will be self-serve.
Another location will be at the Public Works building located at 405 NW 39th Ave. This event will provide full-service and pre-filled bags.
Bradford County
Residents in Starke were preparing for potential flooding by filling up sandbags at Bradford County Solid Waste Collection Centers.
Columbia County
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners and staff are working to make sure residents are prepared for Tropical Storm Debby.
Sandbags will be available at the following locations:
- Columbia County Public Works: 607 NW Quinten Street in Lake City
- Fort White Community Center, 17579 SW State Road 47 in Fort White
- Southside Sports Complex, 1963 SW Bascom Norris Drive in Lake City
Sandbags are limited to 15 bags per vehicle. Pickup will be available Saturday until 7 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
This list will be updated as more counties, cities and fire departments share additional sandbag distributions.