Sandbag Locations to Open Today, Sept. 23

City Taking Proactive Measures Due to Anticipated Severe Weather and Heavy Rainfall

September 23, 2024

The City of Tallahassee is closely monitoring the potential tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the National Weather Service, the chance of a system forming over the next seven days is 90 percent, and possible precipitation amounts in north Florida are currently forecasted to be between 7-10 inches, with impacts beginning as early as Wednesday, Sept. 25. Uncertainty remains around the exact location or magnitude of impacts, which could include downed trees, power outages and localized flooding.

City departments are prepared to respond as needed, and residents are encouraged to prepare. To assist citizens in flood-prone areas, the City will open three sandbag locations by noon today, Monday, Sept. 23. Sandbag sites are available at:

• Jack McLean Community Center, 700 Paul Russell Road
• Mike Blankenship Skate Park, 2909 Jackson Bluff Road
• Northwood parcel, 1940 N. Monroe Street, near El Jalisco

Sandbags are limited to 25 bags per household. Sites are self-service, so citizens need to bring shovels to fill bags themselves. Locations will be staffed from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to replenish sand and bags as needed. The site will be open until the storm threat has passed and it is determined there is no longer a need.

For information on Leon County sandbag operations, visit www.LeonCountyFL.gov/ei/. Leon County’s locations, which also open at noon today, are as follows:

• Leon County’s Northeast Branch Library, 5513 Thomasville Road
• Apalachee Regional Park (Solid Waste Management Facility), 7550 Apalachee Parkway
• Fred George Park, 3043 Capital Circle NW
• Intersection of Oak Ridge Road and Ranchero Road
• Fort Braden Community Park, 15000 Blountstown Hwy

Residents should also take steps now, while there is time, to protect their households and property. The City’s Step-by-Step PREP Guide, available at Talgov.com/PREP, provides a disaster supplies checklist, tips about hardening your home and information about vital City services, such as electric, water and solid waste.

City crews continue to check areas of known flooding to remove obstructions and will post warnings for drivers as needed. Should roads be impacted, all motorists should use caution and not drive through flooded areas or around barricades.

Electric Utility crews are ready to be deployed, with extra staffing on standby as needed. Should outages occur, customers can easily report them via the City’s free DigiTally app or via Talgov.com/Outage. City utility customers can also call 850-891-4968 to report power outages; call wait times will be longer during major events. Both the DigiTally app and the customer service phone line can be used to report other City service issues as well.

Citizens are encouraged to sign up to receive City news via email and text at Talgov.com/Subscribe. They can also stay informed about City services as this weather system develops by following @CityofTLH on Twitter and Facebook and checking Talgov.com regularly.