Self‑Serve Sandbag Stations Open Today in Sarasota and Charlotte Counties
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (July 2, 2025) — In advance of anticipated storms this week, two Gulf Coast Florida counties have opened free, self‑service sandbag stations today to help residents protect their homes.
🏖️ Sarasota County
Sarasota County Emergency Services has added three self‑serve sandbag sites for one-day-only operations today, Wednesday, July 2, with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can pick up up to 10 free sandbags per vehicle; bags and sand are provided, though individuals must bring their own shovels abcactionnews.com+14scgov.net+14facebook.com+14.
Sites include:
Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., Sarasota)
Twin Lakes Park (6700 Clark Road, Sarasota)
South County Fleet Services (4571 State Road 776, Venice) mysuncoast.com+6scgov.net+6sarasotafl.gov+6
Officials noted this added offering responds to weather models calling for increased rainfall later this week .
🌴 Charlotte County
Charlotte County Public Works is offering daily, self‑serve sandbag access from dawn to dusk, continuing today across three locations. Residents may fill and collect up to 10 sandbags per person and should bring their own tools twitter.com+12charlottecountyfl.gov+12wgcu.org+12.
The open locations are:
Punta Gorda – 7000 Florida St. 33950
Port Charlotte – 18181 Sinatra Ave. 33954
Englewood – 6874 San Casa Drive 34224 mysuncoast.com+1wusf.org+1wusf.org+7charlottecountyfl.gov+7wgcu.org+7
County officials emphasized that sandbags are primarily helpful for intercepting standing rainwater and minor tidal flooding, but are not effective against storm surge or tidal waves charlottecountyfl.gov+1wgcu.org+1.
💡 What You Should Know
Limit: 10 bags per vehicle/person
Bring: shovel (and gloves, if you have them)
Self‑serve: Fill and transport sandbags yourself; no staff assistance
Advisory: These are precautionary measures—not emergency response; larger storms may require additional protections
Residents are encouraged to pick up sandbags today, while supplies last, and to monitor local weather updates as the region braces for potential rain later in the week. For more updates on hurricane preparedness and alerts, be sure to follow your county’s official social channels or local emergency services.
