Sandbag distribution locations were opened today in response to Hurricane Irma for unincorporated parts of Pinellas County. These locations are being inundated with people looking for sandbags to protect their homes from flood and rainwater. Currently, the wait for sandbags is 2 hours. There’s a lot of sand according to the park ranger directing traffic, but if your in a low lying area it might be worth the wait, because the sand could run out like it did today in Clearwater.  Sandbags will help with minor flooding from a rain event but will have little impact with a major hurricane storm surge event in low lying areas.  Sandbag locations include:

• John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor
• Lealman Community Park, 3890 55th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg
• Taylor Park, 1100 Eighth Ave. S.W. in Largo

Sandbags will be limited to 20 per person. Material and bags will be supplied. Residents must fill their own sandbags. Shovels will be available. The sandbag distribution locations will be open during daylight hours. Residents of the county’s 24 cities should check with their municipality for distribution within their area.

The National Hurricane Center is now issuing estimates on potential storm surge. Height of storm surge can be estimated with this helpful storm surge map. You can also check the current storm surge measurements from around Tampa Bay.

This will be a very significant storm.  Many people are monitoring this storm closely waiting to see when the storm turns north.  It may be tempting to see what’s happening at the beach. Lifeguards will remain on duty until conditions deteriorate and become unsafe for staff. Here is a copy of a proclamation made by the City of Clearwater warning residents about the storms severity.  To see similar statements from your local authorities check your city, county, or state website: