(WTXL) — As the state prepares for Hurricane Dorian, which has the possibility of making landfall as a category 3 hurricane, these local places have made sandbags available to residents.
Don't know how to fill a sandbag and place it? Scroll to the bottom of the story for a guide.
Sandbag locations throughout the Big Bend and South Georgia are below:
LEON COUNTY, FL:
The city of Tallahassee will be giving away sandbags Thursday at 12 p.m. for those who need them. Locations are below:
- James Messer Park South, located at 2830 Jackson Bluff Road (on the south side of Jackson Bluff Road between Appleyard Drive and Dupree Street)
- Old Northwood Mall, located at 1940 North Monroe Street (near the entrance off North Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)
These sites will be open until the inclement weather has passed and it is determined there is no longer a need.
Citizens will need to bring their own shovels and be prepared to fill bags themselves. There is a 25 bag limit per household.
City crews will monitor the sites and provide additional sand and bags as needed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day the sites are open.
GADSDEN COUNTY, FL:
A sandbag location will open for the community on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Post Plant Pit, on 1090 Post Plant Road, Quincy, FL.
People are limited to 15 sandbags per household and are required to bring their own shovels. For elderly and special needs citizens, Gadsden County Public Works employees will be on hand to provide assistance.
WAKULLA COUNTY, FL:
The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management will be providing sandbags beginning, Friday August 30 at 1:00 PM.
The sand bag location is set up between the Sheriff's Office (15 Oak St, Crawfordville, FL 32327) parking lot and animal control (1 Oak St, Crawfordville, FL 32327).
There will be a 10 bag limit per vehicle.
TAYLOR COUNTY, FL:
According to Emergency Management Director Kristy Anderson, the county will be sandbag distribution for Tropical Storm Dorian Thursday at noon.
The sandbags will be available at the following locations:
- Taylor County Public Works Department (587 US-27, Perry, FL 32347)
- Blue Springs Roll-off site (Blue Springs Lake Rd, Perry, FL 32347)
- Steinhatchee Roll-off site (738 SW 286 AVENUE, STEINHATCHEE, FL 32359)
THOMAS COUNTY, GA:
Friday, August 30, Thomas County is making available for Thomas County residents sand bags pending the upcoming storm:
Sunset Fire Station (244 County Farm Road, Thomasville, GA 31757)
Dillon Road Collection Site (4265 Dillon Road, Thomasville, GA 31757)
Stewart Road Collection Site (142 Stewart Road, Thomasville, GA 31792)
Hansell Road Collection Site (27 Hansell Road, Meigs, GA 31765)
The county will provide the bags, sand and shovels but you will have to fill your bags yourself. There is a 5 bag limit per household. The sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
DECATUR COUNTY, GA:
Friday, August 30, sandbags will be available for people in Decatur County and Bainbridge:
Decatur County Public Works
Bainbridge Public Safety
Please bring something to fill your bags. Limit 20 bags per person.
LAFAYETTE COUNTY, FL:
A self serve sand bag station will be set up Saturday morning beginning at 8 a.m. in Lafayette County:
Behind the Mayo Community Center at the County Road Dept. Yard
Limited to 25 sandbags per household and for Lafayette County residents only.
The Jacksonville District Army Corp of Engineers has a guide to help residents properly fill their sandbags.
How To Fill A Sandbag:
- Fill sandbags 1/2 to 2/3 full, tie at top so bag will lay flat when put in place. A properly filled sand bag should weigh between 35-40 lbs.
- Overfilled bags and bags tied too low leave gaps in sandbag levee allowing water to seep through. An overfilled sandbag can weigh 70 - 75 lbs.
TIP: Always use gloves to protect your hands during the filling operation. After handling treated bags, avoid contact with your eyes and mouth. Dress appropriately and layer clothing. Safety goggles should be used on dry and windy days.
Overfilled bags and bags tied too low leave gaps in sandbag levee allowing water to seep through. An overfilled sandbag can weigh 70–75 lbs.
How To Place Sandbags:
- Sandbags should be placed flat on ground, overlapped, tamped into place, and stair stepped.
- Remove any debris from the areas where bags are to be placed. Place the bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of flow with the untied open ends of the bags facing upstream. Fill the low spots first before placing bags the full length of the area to be raised. Start at the downstream end of the sandbag operation about 1 foot landward from the river or levee's edge and continue upstream.
- Fold the open end of the bag under the filled portion. Place succeeding bags with the bottom of the bag tightly and partially overlapping the previous bag. Offset adjacent rows or layers by one-half bag length to avoid continuous joints. To eliminate voids and form a tight seal, compact and shape each bag by walking on it and continue the process as each layer is placed. This flattens the top of the bag and prevents slippage between succeeding layers.
It is important to have ways to receive watches and warnings when the power goes out.
ABC 27's Storm Shield App will help keep you up to date and prepared for any severe weather threat - wherever you are. To download our WTXL News App and Storm Shield app to your mobile device before the storm, click the links below:
Download Storm Shield App for iPhone and iPad
Download Storm Shield App for Android
Download the WTXL news app for Apple
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As we're tracking a storm, we're also interacting with you, our viewers, to let us know what you're seeing on the ground. So as we work to keep you informed from here in the studio, you can help us know what's happening in your community because social media is one of the best ways to stay connected.
Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter.
Below is a list of Tallahassee radio stations that provide WTXL's weather updates:
- 103.1 The Wolf
- Tally 99.9
- HOT 104.9
- Kool Oldies 106.1
Here's a list of links to report power outages in your area:
City of Tallahassee utilities customers can report power outages here.
Talquin Electric Cooperative customers can report power outages here.
Duke Energy customers can report power outages here.
Colquitt Electric Membership customers can report power outages here.
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative customers can report power outages here.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative customers can report power outages here.
Georgia Power customers can report power outages here.
Mitchell Electric Membership Corporation customers can report power outages here.
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia customers can report power outages here.
Thomasville Utilities customers can report power outages here.
City of Moultrie Utilities customers can report power outages here.
