Sandbags available in Pasco, Hernando & elsewhere ahead of Elsa

hurricane elsa tropical storm — Projection for Hurricane Elsa, 2 July 2021. By NOAA / NWS.

Below is a media release from Pasco Media Relations & Communications:

* Pasco County Opens Self-Serve Sandbag Sites

The Pasco County Department of Emergency Management is closely monitoring Hurricane Elsa as it approaches Florida. There is still uncertainty in the forecast models; however, The National Weather Service indicates Elsa could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Pasco County early next week.

As we head into a long holiday weekend, Pasco County reminds you to be prepared for the possibility of severe weather.

Four sandbag locations are open in Pasco County until further notice:

W.H. Jack Mitchell, Jr., Park: 4825 Little Road, New Port Richey

Veterans Memorial Park: 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson

Magnolia Valley Golf Course: 7223 Massachusetts Avenue, New Port Richey

Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn): 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio

Sandbag sites are self-serve and open 24/7 to Pasco County residents.

Sandbags are provided, but you must bring your own shovels to fill the bags.

Crews will restock sand piles between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Pasco County Government has a series of Disaster Preparedness videos, including a tutorial on how to properly fill sandbags. We encourage you to watch and share these safety videos with your viewers/readers. Visit PascoEmergencyManagement.com to access the videos.

Pasco County is not issuing any evacuation orders nor opening shelters at this time; however, if you are in a low-lying or coastal area and would like to leave, please consider staying with family, friends or at a local hotel further inland. If possible, please avoid being out on the roads today after 6 p.m.

Pasco County’s Customer Service Center is open 24 hours until further notice.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call 727.847.2411 or chat with us online at MyPasco.net. If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

The Pasco County Emergency Operations Center is operating at a modified Level One Activation status, and Pasco County Emergency Management is monitoring conditions and responding, as necessary, to any issues that might arise.

For regular updates, please monitor Pasco County’s Facebook and Twitter feeds and our website: MyPasco.net.

Below is a media release from the Hernando County Office of Public Information:

Self-serve sandbag site to open July 3 – 5 ahead of Hurricane Elsa

(Brooksville, FL) In preparation for Hurricane Elsa, a limited supply of sand and sandbags will be available beginning Saturday, July 3 through Monday, July 5, 2021 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the following location. Please bring your own shovel.

Linda Pedersen Park

6300 Shoal Line Boulevard

Spring Hill, FL 34609

Tips on how to properly fill and stack your sandbags

Fill bags one-half to two-thirds of the way full

Over-filled bags will result in a leaky sandbag wall

Stack sandbags so that the seams between the bags are staggered

Tuck the top of each bag under to ensure that that bag is sealed by its own weight

This self-serve sandbag site will be remain open until weather conditions begin to deteriorate.

Hernando County Government’s Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor and inform our community about storm impacts. Visit the following web and social media sites for more information.

For the latest local conditions and a complete list of news alerts go to https://www.hernandocounty.us/departments/departments-a-e/emergency-management .

Below is a media release from the City of Tampa:

As of 5 a.m. this morning (Tuesday), Tropical Storm Elsa was about 260 miles south southwest of Tampa. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to impact our area this evening.

Tampa remains under a Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning, with an expected storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.

The City of Tampa distributed over 20,000 sandbags on Monday to help residents prepare for potential flooding. Sandbag distribution continues today until noon (while supplies last) at the same locations.

The City of Tampa also activated a call center to answer questions from the public ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa. Tampa’s Emergency Hotline will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6 AND can be reached at: 1-833-TPA-INFO (872-4636).

Residents can also text TAMPAREADY to 888-777 or TAMPALISTA (for Spanish) to

888-777 to receive real-time emergency text alerts.

Tampa’s office of Emergency Manage will continue to monitor developments of Tropical Storm Elsa from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service. Residents should prepare now for tropical storm force winds, flooding and storm surge.

Below is a media release from the City of Treasure Island:

City of Treasure Island to Declare a State of Emergency

The city of Treasure Island Board of Commissioners will be holding a special commission meeting today, July 6 at noon at City Hall, 120 108th Avenue. The commission will declare a State of Emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa’s arrival.

City of Treasure Island offices will close at noon today, July 6, and will also be closed Wednesday, July 7. Phone lines will still be opened for residents to call. For Tropical Storm Elsa information, residents/visitors are encouraged to call the Pinellas County Information Center at 727-464-4333.

Beginning at noon on July 6 and lasting through July 8, the city of Treasure Island parking lots will be free to allow residents to move their vehicles to areas not prone to flooding.

These lots include:

– The Community Center, 154 106th Ave

– Gulf Front, Gulf Blvd & 104th Ave

– Ring Billed Gull, W Gulf Blvd between 81st & 82nd Ave

– Tern, W Gulf Blvd and 77th Ave

Treasure Island summer camp is canceled for July 6 and July 7.

Residents living in low-lying areas or who have experienced flooding in the past may see flooding with Elsa. City officials encourage these residents to stay with family, friends, at a shelter or hotel.

Below is a media release from the City of Pinellas Park:

Update: Sandbag Sites Available for Pinellas Park Residents

The City of Pinellas Park’s self-service sandbag sites for residents only are open today. We have also opened a premade sandbag site for those residents who need assistance. Residents can get up to 10 sandbags each.

Residents must show a water bill and/or valid driver’s license indicating they are a resident of Pinellas Park in order to receive their sandbags. Pick up location and times are below:

Where:

Helen Howarth Park: (Premade Sandbag Site) 6301 94th Ave N. Pinellas Park, FL

– starting at 8:00 am

Pinebrook Park: (Self Service Sandbag Site) 7202 118th Ave N. Pinellas Park, FL – starting at 8:00 am

Broderick Park: (Self Service Sandbag Site) 6101 66th Ave N. Pinellas Park, FL

– starting at 8:00 am

When: Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Please note* These sites will be open until weather conditions are no longer safe for distribution.

For more information about sandbags, please contact the Public Works Department at 727-369-5850.

Below is a media release from the City of Clearwater:

All city of Clearwater offices and locations will close at 1 p.m. today in advance of Tropical Storm Elsa. Lifeguard towers on Clearwater Beach have been moved higher on the sand and out of the way of expected above-normal tides.

Lifeguards remain on duty today ahead of the storm. Video of a lifeguard tower being moved was sent to the email addresses of the various news desks. Police and fire service continues as normal.