From July 16-30, Orange County is hosting a free, self-serve sandbag program for residents at five Orange County park locations on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is free and open to all Orange County residents in preparation for the peak of hurricane season. Newly-appointed division chief Lauraleigh Avery, the Orange County emergency manager for the fire rescue department, and Ralphetta Aker, the Orange County manager for fiscal and operational support in the public works department, will be available to talk about the Orange County Sandbag Program and provide important information about hurricane preparedness. 

As a safety precaution, all individuals who visit Orange County park locations for the sandbag program will be required to wear facial coverings that are consistent with CDC guidelines and the county’s executive order. Households will receive free PPE (personal protective equipment) at each location.

Supplies such as bags, tools, sand, and more will be provided. Filling tools will be available for use; however, all residents attending the sandbag program are encouraged to bring their own shovels or spades to fill their sandbags. A how-to instructional sheet will be provided for residents with information on how to fill, store, and dispose of sandbags. All who are present must show a valid ID with an Orange County address. 

All self-serve sandbag sites will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day. Sandbags are available at the following sites:

• Barnett Park – 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32808
• Downey Park – 10107 Flowers Ave., Orlando, FL 32825                                           
• Bithlo Community Park – 18501 Washington Ave., Orlando, FL 32820 
• Meadow Woods Recreation Center/Meadow Woods Park – 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32824                            
• West Orange Recreational Complex – 309 S. West Crown Point Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787. This complex has limited hours on Sundays, 1-8 p.m.

If residents have questions or need additional information, please call 3-1-1. For information regarding how to use sandbags, please visit Orange TV’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdYj_pWRYs0&t=18s.

For any more questions, contact Orange County Public Works at (407) 836-7900 or email

Ralphetta.Aker@ocfl.net. Visit www.ocfl.net/Storm for additional information. For additional information about Orange County, please visit www.ocfl.net or the Orange County Facebook and Twitter pages.