Charlotte County Public Works is gearing up for the upcoming hurricane season by offering sandbags to local residents, signaling the start of community preparations for potential inclement weather. According to their announcement, residents can pick up sandbags at no cost at three designated locations across the county starting from yesterday.
In an effort to assist those who live in flood-prone areas, Public Works has arranged for three sites where people can fill up to 10 sandbags per person, the materials for which are provided free of charge—however residents will need to bring their own shovels, and be ready for the manual labor involved in filling and transporting their sandbags. The stations are open from dawn to dusk at Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and Englewood, encompassing a broad swath of the county to ensure accessibility for a greater number of residents needing to take preparatory actions in the face of mother nature's sometimes unforgiving touch.
Locations of sandbag filling stations are:
- Punta Gorda – 7000 Florida St., 33950
- Port Charlotte – 18181 Sinatra Ave., 33954
- Englewood – 6874 San Casa Drive, 34224
Public Works urges caution and respect for traffic regulations and private properties in these areas, as substantial numbers of residents are expected to make use of these services. While sandbags can prove effective in mitigating damage from minor flooding, typically less than 15 inches from rain or tides, they are not a panacea; residents are reminded that these measures won't completely stop water and are largely ineffective against waves and storm surge from larger storms.
