The entire Tampa Bay area--and much of Florida's Gulf Coast--is currently under a storm surge warning. It's a good idea to place sandbags around your home to help keep water out. If you need sandbags, here are some places offering them for free:

CITRUS COUNTY:

The county will be offering sandbags to residents on Tuesday starting at 8 a.m. and will remain open until further notice. There is a limit of 15 bags per car.

Near the Homosassa Area Recreational Playground
- 4210 S Grandmarch Avenue, Homosassa, FL 34446
Near Dan’s Clam Stand
- 7500 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River, FL 34429

HERNANDO COUNTY:

Starting Tuesday morning, residents can pick up a limited number of sandbags in preparation for Tropical Storm Elsa. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or will operate as long as the weather permits. Residents must bring their own shovel.

Linda Pedersen Park
- 6300 Shoal Line Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY:

Residents can pick up a maximum of 10 sandbags at three locations across the county from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.

Edward Medard Conservation Park
- 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City, FL 33567
E.G. Simmons Conservation Park
- 2401 19th Avenue NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
Ed Radice Park
- 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa, FL 33626

The City of Tampa is also offering sandbags to residents at the following locations from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday:

Al Barnes Park South
- 2902 N. 32nd Street, Tampa, FL 33605
Himes Avenue Complex
- 4501 S. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33611
MacFarlane Park
- 1700 North MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607

The City of Temple Terrace is also providing sandbags to residents on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Youth Sports Complex
- 10369 US Highway 301, Temple Terrace, FL 33637

MANATEE COUNTY:

Starting Tuesday morning, residents can pick up a limit of 10 sandbags per household at three locations around the county. Each site is open at 8 a.m. and will continue to operate as long as the weather permits.

Self-Serve Distribution Site (Bags and sand provided)
Public Works Department Stormwater Facility
- 5511 39th Street E, Bradenton, FL 34203
Full-Service Distribution Site
GT Bray Park (Parking Lot)
- 5502 33rd Avenue Drive W, Bradenton, FL 34209
Pre-made Sandbag Distribution Site
Manatee Beach Parking Lot
- 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

PINELLAS COUNTY:

Sandbags will be made available to residents from 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesday at two parks.

Walsingham Park
- 2615 102nd Avenue, Seminole, FL 33778
John Chesnut Sr. Park
- 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34685

The City of St. Petersburg is also offering sandbags to residents starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Year-round self-service sandbag site
- 1744 9th Avenue N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Northeast Park
- 875 62nd Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 (located at the Cardinal Drive entrance to Mangrove Bay Golf Course)
James “JC” Turner Fields
- 643 22nd Avenue S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (located on the south side of Bartlett Park)
Northwest Pool
- 2331 60th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710

SARASOTA COUNTY:

he county offered sandbags for residents at Twin Lakes Park on Monday; however, sandbags are not currently available today (Tuesday)

Something to keep in mind: when you go for sandbags, they do not come pre-filled! You will arrive at the sandbag location, and they'll give you bags and a shovel; it's up to you to fill your own bags, so dress accordingly and prepare to get dirty. In my experience, there's usually someone on-site who is available to help folks with mobility issues, but everyone else should show up prepared to work. Be safe out there!

Source: WFLA NEWS

Photo: Getty Images

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