Hurricane Helene Preparations: Sand Available Locally

In preparation for Hurricane Helene, sand is available in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Baldwin Counties:

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Escambia County is offering sand for residents living in flood-prone areas. The sand is available on a first come, first served basis and locations are open 24 hours a day. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels to one of the following locations (map):

• Baars Field Athletic Park - 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
• Brent Athletic Park - 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
• Don Sutton Park - 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
• Equestrian Center - 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
• Escambia County Road Department - 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola 
• Ferry Pass Middle School - 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (sand will be on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street)
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park - 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
• Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Pensacola 

When laid properly, sand bags can be an effective tool for flooding from a rain event, but not for storm surge. For more information on how to make and use sandbags, visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (www.flash.org).

Sand bags can be purchased at most local hardware or home improvement stores, typically for a low cost. 

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SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Due to the potential flood threat, Santa Rosa County's public works department has sand available on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations:

• The corner of Leisure St. and Citrus Dr. in Navarre
• Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze (1370 Tiger Park Ln.)
• Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace (4773 Pace Patriot Blvd.)
• The corner of Pine Forest Rd. and Carroll Rd. in Milton

Residents must provide their own sandbags and shovel. Bags can be purchased at many local hardware stores. For information on how to make and use sandbags, visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (www.flash.org). While sandbags can help mitigate to an extent, buying flood insurance is the best protection against flood loss.

Floods are the nation's most common and costly natural disaster and cause millions of dollars in damage every year. And get it sooner rather than later - flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

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BALDWIN COUNTY

• Sand is available: located at the Baldwin County Central Annex (22251 Palmer St. Robertsdale, AL 36567). This is "self-serve". Please bring your own bags and tools if you need sand.