Where to find sandbags in South Florida ahead of upcoming storm

MIAMI – South Florida is under a tropical storm warning and coastal communities are preparing for several inches of rainfall that could lead to flooding.

“It looks like we are going to see probably the heaviest Friday, Friday night, and early Saturday,” Randy Smith, a spokesperson for the South Florida Water Management District, said.

In Oakland Park, there was a sandbag giveaway on Thursday where residents could take a maximum of five bags with proof of their residency.

“Just in case last time we had a big storm some water came in a corner of the back room of the house,” resident, Angela Rush said.

In the city of Fort Lauderdale, residents picked up free sandbags at Mills Pond Park as they brace for the storm.

“A couple of years ago, we had a little bit of a flood in the neighborhood. A little bit of water got into the garage, so I figured I take precautions. It can never hurt to be ready,” resident Vince Valldeperas said.

In a tweet, Broward County shared a photo of a vacuum truck that will be used to clear flooding in low-lying areas if needed.

Miami-Dade crews continued their daily work of clearing storm drains and grates, making sure water can move easily into the canals.

To prevent flooding, the South Florida Water Management District readied the pump stations, opening up the flood gates.

“We certainly lower them enough to where, when it does start to hit us really hard, there’s plenty of room in there to accept the stormwater runoff and keep it moving out into the ocean,” Smith said.

Here is a list of South Florida communities that are handing out sandbags in preparation for the tropical system expected to bring heavy rainfall to the area.

Broward County

• Oakland Park began handing out sandbags to its residents Thursday while supplies last along the 5100 block of Northeast 12th Terrace.
• Fort Lauderdale is handing out sandbags to its residents at Mills Pond Park at 2201 NW 9th Ave. until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Residents are limited to 10 bags per vehicle, while supplies last.
• Pembroke Pines plans to open a sandbag site Friday at Howard C. Forman Health Park, located at 1001 Poinciana Drive, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proof of residency is required and residents are limited to six sandbags per vehicle.
• Miramar will distribute sandbags beginning 2 p.m. Friday at the Adult Day Care Center, located at 8915 Miramar Pkwy. Proof of residency is required and sandbags are limited to six per household. The sandbag distribution will continue Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents will need to show proof of Miramar residency. The limit is 6 sandbags per household and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Miami-Dade County

• The City of Miami will be distributing sandbags at the following locations from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday: Grapeland Park, located at 1550 NW 37th Ave, and Little Haiti Soccer Park, located at 315 NE 62 Street.
• Miami Lakes is distributing sandbags from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Royal Oaks Park, located at 16500 NW 87 Avenue. Please bring proof of Miami Lakes residency. Residents will be able to take 10 bags of sand per vehicle.
• Hialeah is distributing sand from noon to 8 p.m. at Babcock Park, 651 E 4th Ave. and Bucky Dent Park, 2250 W 60th St. Residents are advised to bring their own bags to fill with sand.

Local 10 will update this article with additional information from South Florida cities and counties as it becomes available.