Sand bags are being made available to Tampa Bay area residents ahead of this weekend's anticipated heavy rains.

A surface low in the Gulf of Mexico is moving toward Florida and is expected to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms.

"The models show rainfall quite widespread, but I would rather be over prepared than underprepared," Pasco County Emergency Services Director Kevin Guthrie said in a news release. "Keep a close eye on the weather this weekend."

City of Tampa

Up to 10 sand bags are available to residents for pickup at two locations from 1-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday:

  • Bobby Hicks Pool, 4201 W. Mango Ave.
  • Jackson Heights Playground, 3310 E. Lake Ave.

Tampa residents interested in filling sandbags must show identification verifying residence within the city limits. A valid driver's license, utility bill or electric bill will serve as appropriate identification.

In addition, Tampa wants residents with a storm drain on their property to ensure that the drain is clear of debris, including leaves and trash.

Residents should report flooding issues by calling (813) 274-3101.

City of St. Petersburg

Sand bags will be available from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday or until inclement weather begins at the following locations:

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

Pinellas Park

The City of Pinellas Park will have sandbags available for City residents today until 4 p.m. and Monday, June 6 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

  • The sand bag site is 7780 60th Street, Pinellas Park. Residents must bring a water bill or drivers license as proof of residency.

Pinellas County

Pinellas County will offer sand bags for residents of Pinellas County on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5, from 7 a.m. to sunset, at the following county parks:

  • John Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor
  • John Taylor Park, 1100 8th Ave. S.W., Largo
  • Lealman Community Park, 3890 55th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

For more information on sandbags, visit www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/sandbags.htm.

Residents will need to fill and transport their own bags. Pinellas County will provide shovels, sand and bags. There will be a limit of 20 bags per vehicle.

Hernando County

A limited supply of sand bags will be available to Hernando residents Saturday, June 4, at two locations:

  • Hernando County Department of Public Works, 1525 E. Jefferson St, Brooksville
  • Hernando County Fire Station No. 2, 3445 Bob Hartung Court, Spring Hill, off Deltona Boulevard

Sand and sand bags will be available from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please bring your own shovel to use.

For information about flooding or protective measures, contact the Hernando County Sheriff's Emergency Management Office at (352)
754-4083 or email eoc@hernandosheriff.org. To download a PDF of the Hernando County Flood Handbook, go to:
http://www.hernandosheriff.org/em/publications/PDF/FloodHandbook.pdf

Hillsborough County

Sand bag materials will be available, up to 25 sand bags, for Hillsborough County residents fro noon till 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the following county Public Works sites:

  • West Service Unit at 9805 Sheldon Road
  • South Service Unit at 8718 Old Big Bend Road
  • East Service Unit at 4702 Sydney Road

Residents should bring their own shovels. Each resident must sign their name and provide their home address acknowledging the receipt of 25 sand bags or less. Call (813) 635-5400 to report flooding and road problems or to request additional information.

City of Tarpon Springs

Sand, sand bags and shovels are available at three locations for residents after 4 p.m. Friday:

  • Dorsett Park, 500 E. Harrison St.
  • Splash Park, 508 E. Live Oak St.
  • Roosevelt Boulevard Roundabout at Dodecanese Avenue

Pasco County

Pasco County is continuing to provide sand bag filling stations to help residents prepare for flooding from Tropical Storm Colin.Pasco County handed out 7,500 sand bags to residents on Saturday and another 12,000 bags on Sunday - for a total of 19,500. That's 200 cubic yards of sand, which would fill more than 11 dump trucks.

 The following sandbag locations are open today - Monday, June 6, 2016:

  •  West Pasco Government Center, 7356 State Street, New Port Richey (self-serve)
  • J.W. Mitchell Park, 4025 Little Road, New Port Richey (self-serve)
  • Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson (self-serve)
  • C-Barn, 30906 Warder Road, San Antonio (self-serve)
  • Land O'Lakes Rec Center, 3032 Collier Parkway, Land O'Lakes (self-serve)
  • Fire Station #2, 6907 Dairy Road, Zephyrhills (self-serve)
  • Dade City Police Department, 38042 Pasco Avenue, Dade City (self-serve)
  • New Port Richey City Location: 6240 Pine Hill Road, New Port Richey (self-serve)

The sand bag locations are open to all Pasco County residents. Sand bags are provided, but residents are encouraged to bring their own shovels.

The following locations, which have had inmate labor to assist citizens with sand bag filling, will not be providing that service during rainy/windy weather. They are still open as self-serve:

West Pasco Government Center, 7356 State Street, New Port Richey

  • J.W. Mitchell Park, 4025 Little Road, New Port Richey

For more information about preparing for flooding, tropical storms or other disasters, please visit www.pascoemergencymanagement.com, and to speak with someone in Pasco County Customer Service, call 727.847.2411.

New Port Richey

The city has opened sand bag operations for city residents from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Residents must bring their own shovels and are limited to 20 sand bags per household:

  • 6240 Pine Hill Road, New Port Richey (self-serve)
  • Fire Station No. 1, 6333 Madison St., after 5 p.m.

Manatee County

Due to the potential for heavy rainfall tomorrow and Tuesday, sand bags will be available at the following locations:

Manatee County Public Works
Hours of operation are 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.
There is a 10 bag limit

  • Buffalo Creek Golf Course: 8100 69th Street East, Palmetto
  • G.T. Bray: The location is parking lot near 51st St W., northwest corner of entrance into Bray from 51st St West.
  • Lakewood Ranch Ball Park: Lakewood Ranch Blvd
  • Stormwater, 5511 39th Street East, Bradenton
  • Rubonia Community Center: 1309 72nd St E, Palmetto
  • Holmes Beach Police Department
    Bags are located inside the police department.
    5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach

Citrus County

Citrus County Public Works as well as the City of Crystal River has opened sand bag site locations:

  • 4508 S. Grand March Ave, Homosassa
  • 7490 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River
  • City of Crystal River Fire Station, off US 19, 650 NW 3rd Ave.

Sites open from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Sites open at 7 a.m. Monday and will be open all day.

Citizens Information Lines will be open Monday for any questions regarding the storm:
7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
3 lines open
352-249-2775
352-249-2776
352-249-2777