Sandbags to be available in Sarasota County, Longboat Key as storm approaches

As a tropical system strengthens in the southern Gulf of Mexico, self-service sandbags will be offered for the next two days to Sarasota County and Longboat Key residents.

The station will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 24-25, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road 
• Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St. 
• South County Fleet Services, 4571 State Road 776/Englewood Road

Sand and bags will be provided. Residents must bring their own shovels. There is a limit of 10 bags per vehicle. 

Town of Longboat Key:

There will be a manned sandbag operation at the Broadway Beach Access on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon. After that, sandbags can be picked up at the Town of Longboat Key Public Works Office, 600 General Harris Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with sand available at the Broadway Beach Access. 

The town’s sandbag station is to serve Longboat Key residents, property owners and commercial interests only to help address potential flooding issues. 

Please bring proof of residency such as a driver’s license or utility bill to obtain bags at Public Works. 

There is a limit of 10 bags per household. Residents may bring their own bags if more are needed.

For more information, visit http://scgov.net/helene.