WESLEY CHAPEL, FL - Pasco County is reminding residents that two self-serve sandbag stations are available around the clock as heavy rain continues moving through the area and low-lying properties face potential flooding.

The county says sand and sandbags are available 24 hours a day at the Pasco County Public Works C-Barn, 30908 Warder Road in San Antonio, and at Magnolia Valley Golf Course, 7223 Massachusetts Avenue in New Port Richey.

The locations are open to Pasco County residents. Sand and sandbags will be restocked daily, weather permitting. Residents should bring their own shovel and be prepared to fill their own sandbags.

The reminder comes as the county continues urging drivers and homeowners to take flooding seriously. Pasco is also repeating the familiar emergency message: Turn Around, Don't Drown. Residents should avoid flooded areas, especially if water is moving, and should not attempt to cross flooded roads or streams. The county says extra caution is needed at night or when visibility is low.

Flooding also creates a second concern for neighborhoods: standing water.

County officials warn that water left around homes and yards can increase mosquito activity and the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue fever. Residents are being asked to drain containers and clear anything that can trap water.

That includes plant saucers, buckets, toys, trash can lids and yard debris. Pet water bowls and birdbaths should be emptied and refilled every few days, and residents should make sure gutters and drains are flowing freely.

For Wesley Chapel families, the practical takeaway is simple: prepare early if your property has a history of drainage problems, avoid flooded roads, and remove standing water after the rain passes. The sandbag sites are not in Wesley Chapel itself, so residents who need them should plan for travel time and bring supplies.

The county is also encouraging residents to sign up for emergency notifications through Alert Pasco and to review disaster preparedness information through Pasco Emergency Management.

Practical information:

  • Sandbags: self-serve, 24/7, for Pasco County residents.
  • Bring: a shovel and the ability to fill your own bags.
  • Locations: 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio; 7223 Massachusetts Avenue, New Port Richey.
  • Safety note: avoid flooded roads and drain standing water around the home.

Sources: