Flood Prevention Sandbags

When threatened by a hurricane, tropical storm, or flood event, the City of Oldsmar will provide free sandbags and sand to Oldsmar residents. Sandbags are generally available 36 hours prior to storm conditions arriving, and residents are responsible for filling and loading. (City staff will be on-site to monitor the site; assistance is limited so please bring assistants with you) Sandbags will be available at the Municipal Services Complex located at 300 Commerce Boulevard.

Requirements

Sandbags will be available for Oldsmar residents only. Those desiring to obtain sandbags will be required to present proper identification, such as their driver's license or a utility bill indicating an Oldsmar address. The distribution of sandbags will be limited to 10 bags per residence. A photo ID with an Oldsmar Address is required.

During potential disaster impacts, please refer to the city's website for up to the minute information on disaster preparations and sandbag availability.

Sandbag Limitations

Sandbags are not an effective way to block or minimize water intrusion into homes or buildings. However, some homeowners feel a sense of well being by utilizing sand bags.

• Sandbags will not seal out water and offer very little resistance to flooding.
• Sandbags are heavy, and stacking them takes considerable physical effort.
• Sandbags deteriorate when exposed to continued wetting and drying for several months. If bags are placed too early, they may not be effective when needed.
• Sandbags are for small water flow protection - up to 2 feet.
• Protection from larger flow requires a more permanent flood prevention system.

Sandbags might help redirect stormwater and debris flows away from homes and other structures, provided the sandbags are properly filled and maintained. Sandbags usually last for only 1 year.

Placing

• Take care in stacking sandbags.
• Limit placement to 3 layers unless a building is used as a backing or sandbags are placed in a pyramid.
• Tap each sandbag into place, completing each layer prior to starting the next layer.
• Clear a path between buildings for debris flow.
• Lay a plastic sheet in between the building and the bags to control the flow and prevent water from seeping into sliding glass doors.

Disposal

• Homeowners should empty the sand in their gardens or yards, then throw the bags in the trash.
• Before disposing of used sandbags, check for contamination. Sandbags exposed to contaminated floodwaters may pose an environmental hazard and require special handling.
• The sandbags that are distributed by the city are poly bags and can be dried out and reused unless they are contaminated, damaged, or falling apart. This can save citizens time by not having to go to the sandbag site and give them the opportunity to reuse the sandbags.