MANATEE COUNTY, FL (August 2, 2024) – Manatee County Public Works crews are setting up self-serve sandbag locations for residents who may want to take extra pro-active measures to secure their property in advance of the forecast tropical weather headed here.
Sand and bags will be available beginning at noon today at Coquina Beach (North Boat Ramp Parking Lot) at 1507 S. Gulf Dr. in Bradenton Beach, Lincoln Park at 501 17th Street East in Palmetto. There will also be a self-serve location set up just south of the former Manatee County Utilities Headquarters at 4410 66th Street W. in Bradenton. Updated locations are listed at mymanatee.org/sandbags.
Manatee County will also make sand and bags available for areas at risk of flooding at the Rubonia Community Center at 1309 72nd Street E. in Palmetto and the Myakka City Community Center at 10060 Wauchula Rd. in Myakka City.
After Hurricane Ian in 2022, flooding in the Myakka City area overtopped a significant number of wellheads, which left the wells contaminated.
Residents who use well-water should take extra precautions ahead of potential flooding:
- Store adequate bottled water for drinking and cooking.
- Fill up the pressure tank as much as possible.
- Turn off the electricity to the well.
- If you have an aerobic septic system, turn off the electricity for the system.
(No special preparations are needed for conventional septic systems)
- If your wellhead does not have a watertight seal, you may improvise one by covering the casing with a heavy-duty trash bag and wrapping it with waterproof tape.
- If you have the log or well report completed when the well was established, store a copy in a safe place that will be accessible.
Follow official storm information from Manatee County at mymanatee.org/storm. Residents and visitors should monitor local news and the County's social media accounts for updates. Registering for Alert Manatee is another way to ensure you receive any severe weather updates