September 6, 2023
Press Release-Sandbags
Sandbags can be obtained at certain times prior to anticipated flooding. Please note that sandbags are only recommended for residents who may experience minor flooding from rainfall. Sandbags will not protect against storm surge from the intracoastal or Gulf waters.
The City of Indian Rocks Beach encourages residents and businesses to reuse clean sandbags and to dispose of contaminated sandbags. Sandbags that did not come into contact with floodwaters can be safely reused or stored. Sandbags that have been in contact with floodwaters may be contaminated by sewage or other hazardous chemicals and should be disposed of properly. Residents are encouraged to use gloves and a dust mask when handling potentially contaminated materials and are asked to not place the used sand in or near bodies of water or other areas with direct human contact.Please do not dispose of any sand or full sandbags in your regular trash. The sand does not burn and will not convert to energy in Pinellas County’s Waste-to-Energy Facility. Residents are asked to not mix sandbags with lawn debris for disposal; the sand is abrasive and can damage equipment used to grind yard debris.For sandbags that did not encounter floodwaters:• Keep and store clean sandbags in preparation for future events. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the majority of storms occurring between mid-August and late October.• If unable to keep and store clean sandbags, spread sand on lawns or landscape beds and place the empty bag into your garbage bin. Do not place into your recycling bin.• Pinellas County Environmental Management advises residents to not dump their sandbags onto the beach. The sand used for the sandbags may be different from the beach sand and can cause issues for turtle nesting, among other problems.For sandbags that have encountered floodwaters:• Bring used sandbags, separated from the other waste to the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 3095 114th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Disposal fees apply.For more information, please call the City of Indian Rocks Beach, Public Works Department at (727) 595-6889.City of Indian Rocks BeachPh: 727/595-2517 City Hallwww.indian-rocks-beach.comwww.facebook.com/City-of-Indian-Rocks-Beach“Working Together” View News Attachment