OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — Multiple communities have sandbag-filling locations available to the public ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall this week in Florida.
Riviera Beach will start distributing sandbags at Wells Recreation Complex located at 2409 Avenue H W on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The site will reopen Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. until supplies last. Each resident may receive a maximum of 10 bags and proof of residency is required. The city said Tuesday morning it has distributed a total of 2,700 bags so far.
WATCH BELOW: Riviera Beach distributes sandbags to residents
Sandbags at Delray Beach be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at both Anchor Park and Pompey Park. Residents can fill up to five bags themselves while supplies last.
Those who would like to pick up sandbags in Okeechobee County can go to the Public Works Department Compound at 804 Northwest Second Street. Bags and shovels will be available at no charge. The bags are limited to 10 per vehicle.
"Okeechobee residents should be prepared for increased traffic on our main roadways due to expected statewide evacuations," stated the county's news release. "Residents are encouraged to prepare their homes and families as early as possible."
WATCH BELOW: Flood-prone residents fill sandbags in Okeechobee Co.
Sandbags for Martin County residents are available from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday at Halpatiokee Regional Park at 8303 Southwest Lost River Road. Martin County residents are allowed up to 25 sandbags per residence. Officials ask you to provide your name and address for documentation. Staff will be available to assist, but to expedite the process, residents should be prepared to fill bags and load them into their vehicles.
Sandbags for Stuart residents were available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at Sailfish Ball Park at 600 Southeast Georgia Ave. The limit was eight bags per vehicle. However, due to demand, the sandbags were no longer available shortly after 3 p.m. "Due to overwhelming demand at our "Build Your Own" sandbag center at Sailfish Park, all resources have been distributed. Unfortunately, we will be closing the center immediately," Stuart police said on Facebook.
WATCH BELOW: Stuart residents fill sandbags ahead of Milton
Sandbags are available in Fort Pierce at multiple locations. The city is offering free, self-serve sand stations for residents at the following locations:
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dreamland Park (S. 25th St.)
- Pioneer Park (Ave M and N. 29th St.)
- Little Jim Bait & Tackle (601 N. Causeway)
- Maravilla Park (2622 Oleander Ave)
- Jaycee Park (South Hutchinson Island)
Residents are asked to bring their own bags and shovels. Parks are open daily from dawn to dusk.
Sandbags are available in Boynton Beach at Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park, 2010 N. Federal Hwy., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Residents with valid identification will be permitted three bags each. There will be a do-it-yourself area as well.
WATCH BELOW: Mountain Stone Gravel in Vero Beach selling $2 sandbags ahead of Milton
Indian River County is not offering free sandbags but Mountain Stone Gravel in Vero Beach is stepping in with a low cost option to help residents by selling $2 sandbags.
WPTV’s Mello Styles visited the business Monday morning. Owners told him they are already seeing a steady flow of people stocking up on sand.
“A $1.20 per bag, plus .50 to fill each bag. The more you get, the more we will work with you on a price and get it a little bit lower,” Chayse Cloonan said. “We will be open tomorrow, and Wednesday we are still determining.”
Mountain Stone Gravel has less than 1,000 bags left but residents are allowed to bring their own bags if you just need sand.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
51 Florida counties under state of emergency
After Hurricane Helene's recent impact in Florida, Okeechobee residents are not letting their guard down. Many of them filled up sandbags on Sunday as Hurricane Milton approached.
Chris Noal of Okeechobee loaded up his family car.
"We need to make sure that they (his children) understand the dangers of nature," Noal said.
PANIC IN FL: Empty water shelves at an Okeechobee, Florida Walmart as Hurricane Milton approaches.
— Zitlali Solache (@zitlalisolache) October 7, 2024
Courtesy: Chris Noal pic.twitter.com/MsQMjr1P17
Okeechobee is one of 51 counties under a state of emergency. This is something Noal does not take lightly.
"With hurricanes, it could get nasty," Noal said. "We kind of want to make sure we're all taken care of there.”
Okeechobee resident Mary Washington is no stranger to hurricanes. She saw Hurricane Ian's impacts in 2022.
"I live in a low-lying, flooded area and I got flooded out before, and I don't want to go through that no more," Washington said.
Noal said the water shelves at the Okeechobee Walmart were empty but her pantry is stocked up.
"Even if the lights go off and we don’t have any water — I prepare myself with the type of food that you don't have to cook or heat up," Washington said.
