St. Pete Extends Sandbag Operations

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — With the potential for heavy storms in the week ahead, the city of St. Petersburg has announced plans to open sandbag locations for residents.

As of Monday afternoon, the city said sandbags will be offered on Monday and Tuesday both between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the following sites:

• Northeast Park, 875 62nd Ave. N.E., at the Cardinal Drive to the Mangrove Bay Golf Course
• Bartlett Park (Frank W. Pierce Recreation Center), 22nd Ave. S. between Sixth and Seventh Streets

The city plans to make sand, shovels and bags available. People must show proof of city residence.

Sandbags are limited to 10 per residents. Help will be available for seniors and those who may not be able to fill and load their own sandbags.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service say the entire Tampa Bay area is likely in for a soggy week as a tropical depression makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to reach tropical storm status before moving near the Tampa Bay area sometime on Thursday.

To find out more about the storm, check out this related story: Hurricane Gaston Weakens; Depressions Aim for Florida, N.C.

Image via Shutterstock