Hillsborough County Offers Sand Bags To Residents

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL -- Hillsborough County is expected to feel the most impact from Subtropical Storm Alberto Sunday, May 27. Hillsborough County continues to make sandbags available at three locations.

A maximum of 10 sandbags per household and 10 sandbags per vehicle may be obtained from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today from the following locations:

• Edward Medard Park
6140 S Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
• E.G. Simmons Park
2401 19th Ave. N.W., Ruskin
• ED Radice Sport Complex
14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa

Hillsborough County residents can find complete information on county services and programs, as well as safety tips, online.

Road Closures and Drainage Problems

Even small amounts of additional rain may result in standing water in streets, ditches, yards and low-lying areas.

Residents can report blocked storm drains, potholes, washouts, and other road damage by contacting Hillsborough County at (813) 272-5900, or HCFLGov.net/AtYourService.

Storm Safety and Flooding Tips

Follow these safety tips to help keep you and your family safe:

• Don’t drive through moving water or standing water. Standing water that is only two feet deep can disable most vehicles.
• Observe all barricades and detours. They are there for your protection.
• Be careful walking and driving. Flooding may cause pathways to shift and erode roadsides, as well as leave surfaces coated with slippery mud.
• Avoid wading through standing water. Floodwaters may contain fecal matter, bacteria, and viruses.
• Clear yard of any debris, plant material, or items (garden décor, foliage, or garbage cans) that can block water flow and storm drains.
• Treat non-functioning traffic signals as a four-way stop.
• Heavy rains can saturate root systems, downing unhealthy trees and with them, power lines. Stay away from downed utility lines. Always assume that every line is a power line, and that it is live.
• Watch for workers clearing debris, and follow all directional instructions and detour signs.

Mosquito Prevention Tips

With the recent and expected rainfall, residents may now have standing water around their homes that can support the breeding of mosquitoes. Any items that hold water – from a Styrofoam cup to a torn plastic tarp – can allow mosquitoes to breed by the thousands. It’s important to drain this water and dispose, cover, or move these items to prevent the spread of mosquitoes.

Follow these tips to help prevent mosquito breeding:

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots, buckets, watering cans, kiddie pools, and any other containers where rain water has collected.
• Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances, and other items that may collect water.
• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and chlorination.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and insect repellent while you’re out cleaning up your yard.

For more information on the Hillsborough County Mosquito Control Unit and tips to prevent or reduce mosquitoes, click here.

Residents can also sign up for HCFL Alert, the county’s official mass notification system, to receive time-sensitive, important messages regarding emergencies.

Image via Hillsborough County