ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County said it is providing free sandbags starting at 12 p.m. Monday at six locations throughout the county in preparation for Tropical Storm Idalia.
The sand and bags are provided free of charge. The public must provide their own transportation and shovels and will be responsible for filling their own bags.
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The County said there is a maximum allocation of 20 bags per person. The sand and bags will be available beginning at 12 p.m. Monday and beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday until weather permits at the following locations:
- Windswept Acres Park – 5335 SR A1A S.
- Solomon Calhoun Community Center – 1300 Duval St.
- Hastings Community Center – 6195 S. Main St., behind the building
- Mills Field – 1805 Race Track Road, in the overflow parking area
- Palm Valley – Under the Palm Valley Bridge, on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway
- North Beach Park – 3721 Coastal Highway, at the walkover
The City of St. Augustine will also provide free sandbags on Tuesday until 5 p.m. or until the supply is depleted at Francis Field, located at 25 West Castillo Drive.
The sand and the bags are free of charge and there is a limit of 20 bags per person. Members of the public must provide their own transportation and shovels and are responsible for filling their own bags.
Vehicles should enter Francis Field from the west off Riberia Street and follow directions. The service will continue until the supply is depleted or the weather deteriorates until it is unsafe to do so.
For additional information, please call the General Services Department at 904-825-1010. St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center Information Hotline is open at 904-824-5550.
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St. Johns County Emergency Management (SJCEM) is asking residents to check their supply kits, secure their properties with window shutters, and remove debris. Those in mobile homes, boats, and RVs should prepare for the possibility of evacuation orders.
The public should anticipate isolated power issues and exercise proper generator safety. Visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane to read the St. Johns County Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
“Current forecasts show the potential for inland hurricane-strength wind gusts with the elevated possibility of tornados,” SJCEM Director Joseph Giammanco said in a news release. “This is an intensifying storm and we urge the public to take this seriously and be prudent and purposeful with their planning.”
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SJCEM encourages residents to stay informed through these options:
- Sign up for the Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com
- Register for Nixle Alerts by texting StJohnsEOC to 888777
- Monitor www.sjcfl.us/hurricane for all storm-related updates
- Call the St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at 904-824-5550 with any storm-related questions
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