Tropical Storm Idalia: Sandbags available across Central Florida, as region braces for potential impacts
With Tropical Storm Idalia barreling toward Florida’s Gulf coast, and expected to bring at least some strong gusts and rain to Central Florida, cities and counties have set up sandbag stations and are keeping a close eye on any shifts east in the track, which could bring more severe conditions to our doorstep.
School districts are also monitoring the storm.
The Lake County school district has canceled all after-school activities on Tuesday and will close campuses on Wednesday.
The Osceola County school district also has announced that after-school activities, including sports, are canceled Tuesday.
Neither Osceola, Orange or Seminole county schools have announced any class cancellations, though all said they are tracking the storm and could depending on what is learned about its projected path.
In Central Florida, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties are under a Gov. Ron DeSantis state of emergency order.
Seminole County residents can get sandbags at Boombah Sports Complex, 3325 Cameron Ave., until 7 p.m. Monday at the overflow parking lot.
Residents also can use Oviedo’s new sandbag-filling machine until 6 p.m. Monday at the city’s public works facility, 1655 Evans St. Those planning to use the facility should enter and exit off Evans Street, because Lockwood Boulevard will be closed, according to city staff.
In Lake, sandbags are available at seven locations. Residents must bring their own shovels and will need to fill their own bags, according to the county’s Emergency Management office.
Tropical Storm Idalia forecast to become major hurricane; DeSantis expands emergency order
Sandbags are available at:
East Lake Sports and Community Complex, 24809 Wallick Road, Sorrento
North Lake Regional Park, 40730 Roger Giles Road, Umatilla
Astor Fire Station 10, 23023 State Road 40, Astor
Minneola Athletic Complex, 1300 Fosgate Road, Minneola
PEAR Gateway Park, 26701 U.S. Highway 27
Four Corners Fire Station 112, 16240 County Road 474, Clermont
Hickory Point Recreation Complex, 27315 State Road 19, Tavares
Orange County residents can bring their own shovels to fill up to 10 bags at five locations Monday and Tuesday. Sandbag stations are open until 7 p.m. each day.
West Orange Recreation Center, 309 S. West Crown Point Road
Clarcona Horse Park / Clarcona Outpost, 3535 Damon Road
Bithlo Community Park, 18501 Washington Ave.
Meadow Woods Recreation Center/Meadow Woods Park, 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle
Downey Park, 10107 Flowers Ave.
Osceola County, St. Cloud and Kissimmee are also setting up a sandbag site starting at noon Monday. The site is at Osceola Heritage Park, 1211 Shakerag Road, and is open until 7 p.m.
Residents can get up to 25 sandbags per household and will need to bring their own shovel.
Leslie Postal of the Sentinel staff contributed.
