The City of St Pete Offers FREE Sandbags to all Residents.

St. Pete residents may pick up a maximum of 10 sandbags per household. Staff will be on hand to assist seniors and others who may be unable to fill and load their own sandbags. Residents must provide proof of residence (such as a driver's license) to receive sandbags.

Year-Round Location

Sandbags are available to city residents throughout the year during non-emergency times at the following location.

Pavement and Traffic Operations Building, 1744 9th Ave. N. (Monday-Friday and every second Saturday of the month, 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

Storm Condition Locations

Following a declaration of a tropical storm or hurricane warning, sandbags will be issued at the following locations. These locations may open earlier depending on direction and/or tidal 

These locations are not open year-round.

Self-Service Locations

Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sand, bags, and shovels are provided. Residents may bring their own shovel.

• Dell Homes Park - 2741 22nd St. S.
• Fossil Park Northern Most Parking Lot - 6875 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N.
• Walter Fuller Soccer Field Lot - 2800 75th St. N.

Full-Service Locations

Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

City staff on site to assist residents with filling and loading sandbags.

• Lake Maggiore Park Shelter Area - 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. S.
• Northeast Park East Baseball Field Parking Lot - 955 62nd Ave. NE.
• Northwest Swimming Pool Parking Lot Park - 2331 60th St. N.

How to Setup Your Sandbags

1. Preparing the Area:

Check for Low Areas: Identify low-lying areas around your property that are most likely to flood, such as doorways, garages, or window wells.

Clear the Area: Remove debris, leaves, or other obstacles where you plan to place the sandbags.

2. Place Your Sandbags:

Create a Barrier: Lay the sandbags in a staggered pattern, similar to bricks in a wall. This allows the bags to lock together and create a stronger barrier.

Seal Gaps: Make sure there are no large gaps between bags. If necessary, use additional sandbags to fill small spaces and prevent water from seeping through.

Higher Stacks for Higher Protection: Stack the sandbags in layers, with each layer slightly overlapping the one below. The higher the stack, the more effective the barrier. Aim for at least 2-3 layers for better protection, especially for heavier rainfalls.

3. Special Tips for Effectiveness:

Elevate the Bottom Layer: Place the first layer of sandbags on a solid, elevated surface like a concrete or wooden platform to keep them from soaking up water from the ground.

Use Plastic or Tarps: If the forecast predicts significant rainfall, line your sandbag barrier with plastic sheeting or a tarp to help hold back water and prevent it from seeping through.

4. After the Storm:

Don't Move Sandbags Immediately: Allow the water level to recede before removing sandbags. This gives you a chance to assess any damage and make repairs if necessary.

Disposal: Sandbags used for flood prevention cannot be reused for landscaping purposes and should be discarded at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex at 3905 114th Ave. N.

For more information on hurricane preparedness go the City of St Pete website: https://www.stpete.org/