TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon County residents wasted no time getting ready for this weekend's storm.
The city and county set up six locations for people to fill up sandbags to protect their homes and properties.
City and county crews dumped piles of sand at six locations Friday, including at J. Lee Vause Park.
As soon as county crews dumped a large pile of sand, residents grabbed their shovels and got to work.
They helped each other fill, tie, and pack sandbags.
One couple told us they realized they needed to protect their home after Hurricane Irma.
"We've got a couple acres, and most of it sits up high, but there's a portion that's low and the neighbor next door has about the same amount of property, and it's sloped," said Leon County resident Rick Warshaw. "And water, when it rains hard, it forms like a river there, and we're trying to redirect it, so it's not eroding the whole backyard out."
Residents can take up to 15 bags at the county sites and 25 bags at the city sites and you'll need to bring your own shovel.
"Yeah, don't wait, because the lines are going to get longer, even though there's plenty of sand and they'll be here all weekend," said Leon County resident Nancy Goodson.
The sites will stay open until the storm threat is over and crews will bring more sand and bags when needed.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Preparing for possible heavy rainfall, Leon County and the City of Tallahassee have announced the opening of six sandbag locations for residents.
Emergency Management officials will continue to monitor changing conditions throughout the week and into the holiday weekend.
Beginning at noon Friday, May 25, sandbags will be available to the public at these locations:
- Tekesta Park, at Tekesta Drive and Deer Lake Road in Killearn Lakes (county)
- Apalachee Regional Park (Solid Waste Management Facility), 7550 Apalachee Parkway (county)
- J. Lee Vause, 6024 Old Bainbridge Road (county)
- At the intersection of Oak Ridge Rd at Ranchero Road (county)
- James Messer park South, 2830 Jackson Bluff Road (city)
- Winthrop Park, 1601 Mitchell Avenue (city)
Residents should bring their own shovels. Sand, bags and ties will be available for public use at the Leon County sites, where residents are asked to take no more than 15 bags.
Property owners who have experienced flooding problems in the past can use sandbags to help divert stormwater from their property.
Leon County advises residents to monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take the necessary precautions to protect life and property.
The National Weather Service also warns that residents should not drive cars through flooded areas and that if they see flood waters to turn around and find another route.
Residents are also encouraged not to attempt to walk through floodwaters. Any and all flood water should be considered to be contaminated. Do not allow children to play in, wade through or swim in flood water.
Updates on official road closures can be found by downloading the Leon County Citizens Connect App in the Apple or Google Play store and the Leon County Emergency Information Portal (EIP) at www.LeonCountyFL.gov/ei/.
Residents requiring more information or assistance should call Leon County Emergency Management at (850) 606-3700.
