Sandbag supply in high demand around SWFL

SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. Long lines have formed where sandbags are being distributed in south Fort Myers.

Sand and sandbags are available for free at South Trail Fire & Rescue District station 62 on 13500 Sophomore Lane just south of Daniels Parkway in south Fort Myers.

Cars lined up for a half-mile as residents waited for their chance Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re here to get sandbags and there’s a good hour wait, so I told my husband let me come up and volunteer while he’s waiting in line,” said Sherry McLemore, who helped other residents fill their sandbags.

More than 300 sandbags are being filled an hour, fire chief Gene Rogers said.

Two sites the City of Fort Myers set up ran out of sandbags Tuesday, but sand is still available at 2300 Peck St. and 9700 Treeline Ave. for residents who bring their own sandbags and shovels.

Cape Coral isn’t providing sandbags, as the city’s fire department cited concerns about their effectiveness.

“Scientific research has proven that sandbags are ineffective at protecting homes from storm surge and that several hundred would be required to protect just one home or business from low level flooding,” the fire department said in a Facebook post.

Charlotte County isn’t providing sandbags either, but Punta Gorda will make sandbags available beginning Wednesday at the Hounds on Henry Dog Park at 900 W. Henry St.

Bags, sand and shovels will be at the site, but there’s a limit of five sandbags per person and 10 per household.

Sandbags are available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at five sites in Glades County:

• Glades County Emergency Operations Center, 1097 Health Park Drive, Moore Haven (bags ready; empty bags also available)
• EMS Station 3 – 1132 Pollywog Crossover, Muse (Bring bags, bring shovel and fill yourself)
• Lakeport Fire Department – 12999 East State Road 78, Lakeport (Bring bags, bring shovel and fill yourself)
• Lakeport Community Center – 1239 Red Barn Road, Lakeport (Bring bags, bring shovel and fill yourself)
• Buckhead Ridge Fire Department – Boat Ramp East State Road 78, Buckhead Ridge (Bring bags, bring shovel and fill yourself)

WINK News reporter Chris Grisby went live via Facebook from the south Fort Myers distribution site: