Hillsborough To Offer Sandbags Monday For Storm Preparation

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL —Following Gov. Ron DeSantis' declaration of a state of emergency for 15 Florida counties, including Hillsborough County, as Tropical Storm Elsa nears the Keys and Florida's west coast, Hillsborough County officials have also declared a state of local emergency.

The emergency declaration gives the county administrator and emergency managers the ability to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community, and provides a path for federal reimbursement of certain expenses.

Read the Hillsborough County order declaring a state of local emergency.

Read the governor's order declaring a state of emergency.

Hillsborough County emergency officials and representatives of partner agencies are closely monitoring the projected track of the storm and are coordinating resources and operations to respond as necessary.

Sandbags will be available daily at the following locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
• E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin
• Ed Radice Park, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa

The parks will be open to residents as normal while sandbag distribution is underway.

Hillsborough County residents are eligible for a maximum of 10 sandbags per family. Residents must show ID verifying they live in the county such as a driver's license or utility bill.
Residents can call 813- 272-5900 to request additional information or click here.

In addition, the City of Tampa is offering sandbags beginning Monday at the following locations from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Al Barnes Park South, 2902 N. 32nd St.
• Himes Avenue Complex, 4501 S. Himes Ave.
• MacFarlane Park, 1700 N. MacDill Ave.

Hillsborough County has not opened any shelters or issued any evacuation orders at this time.

Actions Residents Should Take

• Residents and visitors should pay close attention to weather forecasts and make decisions accordingly.
• According to the National Weather Service, there is a risk of storm surge, wind and rainfall impacts for portions of Florida as early as Monday.
• Review storm preparedness plans and disaster kit contents.
• Hillsborough County's 2021 Disaster Preparedness Guide is available in English and Spanish, and contains comprehensive information on how to prepare for any hazard.
• Tropical storms have the potential to bring damaging winds and heavy rain that could last many hours.
• Prepare your home by cleaning out gutters and drain pipes, trimming trees and hedges if needed, and securing or putting away loose objects such as outdoor furniture, birdbaths and potted plants.
• Know if you live in an evacuation zone. Click here for a link to Hillsborough County's Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool (HEAT). This simple tool assists residents in determining if they live in one of the county's five evacuation zones.
• Register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. To receive messages by email, phone and text click here.

For general county information, call 813-272-5900, the county's main information line.