Sandbag pick-up locations opening for area residents

As the threat of severe weather increases with a tropical depression currently gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico, local governments are giving residents a chance to prepare for potential flooding by providing sandbags.

Seminole County resident Pauline Matale was one of the first people to show up, shovel in hand, to get sandbags at the Highway 17 pick-up site Tuesday.

"I just want to be prepared," she said. "And, if the storms do come, I don't want to have any flood issues inside the condo."

After living in Casselberry for 30 years, Matale said you can't be over prepared when it comes to Florida's weather.

"In 2004, when we had hurricanes Charlie and the other ones of that nature, we didn't have too much wind damage, but we did have a lot of flooding," she said.

Officials also encourage people to make sure they have at least a week's worth of food and other essentials on hand in case severe weather hits.

Residents should not wait until the last minute to stock up on supplies, officials warn.

"If they need to buy any additional supplies, now is the time to do it," Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said.

For anyone planning to go to a sandbag pick-up station, it's a lot easier to have one person hold the bag while another shovels, so Harris suggested bringing help.

Residents in Orange County can call  the Orange County GovernmentInformation Line at 311 (or 407-836-3111) to request sandbags to be delivered.

-Open Tuesday-Friday, 8:00AM-7:00PM

-Near Fire Station 35, 4170 N US HWY 17-92, Sanford

-Residents may fill up to 30 bags

-Bring your own shovel

 ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, EASTMONTE PARK

-Open 24/7

-Eastmonte Park Overflow Parking Lot, 830 Magnolia Drive, Altamonte

-Bring your own shovel

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, WESTMONTE PARK

-Open Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00AM-10:00PM, Sunday, 8:00AM-Dusk

-Westmonte Park, 624 Bills Lane, Altamonte

-Bring your own shovel

LAKE MARY

-Open Tuesday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:00PM

-235 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary

-Bring your own shovel

LONGWOOD

-Open Tuesday-Friday, 8:00AM-3:30PM

-Public Works Facility, 907 East State Road 434, Longwood

-Residents may fill up to 10 bags

-Bring your own shovel, photo ID

-Only available for Longwood residents

OVIEDO

-Locations/times will be determined Tuesday, 8/30/16

SANFORD

-Open 24/7

-Public Works Facility, 800 W Fulton Street

-Bring your own shovel

-Open 9:00am starting August 30

North Multi District Office

-8311 N Hwy 441, Ocala

South Multi District Office

-3260 SE 80th Street, Ocala

Forest District Office

-1600 E. Hwy 40, Silver Springs

Dunnellon District Office

-19995 SW 86th St. Unit 3, Dunnellon

-Locations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

-20 bags allowed per household

-Residents must bring their own shovel

Fire Station 10

-23023 State Road 40 , Astor

Fire Station 14 

-42700 State Road 19, Altoona

Fire Station 53

-2505 Spring Lake Road, Fruitland Park

Fire Station 110 

-6234 County Road 561, Clermont