Prep Now: Free sandbags available for SWFL residents

Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News

Sandbags provide additional support to homes to help reduce flooding into the property from heavy rain caused by storms.

Now that hurricane season is in full swing and a storm is potentially on the horizon, Southwest Floridians are urged to protect their homes through any means necessary.

Southwest Florida is expected to receive substantial rainfall this weekend due to an approaching Tropical Depression 4.

While it is too early to predict the impact of the upcoming inclement weather, it is best to prepare now, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for all Southwest Florida counties in lieu of the storm.

A state of emergency is a precaution to mobilize state resources if needed. Assistance from the federal government may be necessary during and after the emergency is issued.

Free sandbags are available at specific locations for residents to begin stocking up:

If you need a sandbag from your home, visit these locations:

  • Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Station 1
    5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia
    They have sand, empty bags and shovels and haven’t posted a limit of how much you can take.
  • The South Trail Fire & Rescue Station 63
    5531 Halifax Ave., Fort Myers
    They have only empty bags with the next shipment of sand expected on Monday.
  • Fort Myers Beach Town Hall
    2731 Oak St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
  • North Collier Regional Park
    15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109 in the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon parking lot.
    Sand and bags are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday.
  • Donna Fiala Eagles Lakes Community Park
    11565 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34113
    Limit of 10 bags per person. Sand and bags are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Also, if you need sandbags please call the county at 239-252-8924.

The fire districts urge that your vehicle must be able to handle the weight of the sandbags that you’re taking.

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