Hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30, and there may be additional storm threats
- Residents advised to hold onto sandbags through hurricane season.
- After the season, sandbags can be brought to the Solid Waste Disposal Facility for a fee.
- Sandbags should not be poured onto the beach as the sand could cause turtle nesting issues.
With nearly three months remaining in the Atlantic hurricane season, Pinellas County is encouraging residents who picked up sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Dorian to keep them for now and properly dispose of them later.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with most storms occurring between mid-August and late October. Since Pinellas County could face additional storm threats in the coming weeks, residents should hold onto sandbags in case they are needed.
In preparation for Hurricane Dorian, Pinellas County Public Works distributed more than 31,000 sandbags to help residents in flood-prone areas. The hurricane’s track shifted east, though, and the Tampa Bay area experienced minimal storm-related rain or surge.
Residents have a couple of options when it comes time to sandbag disposal:
- Bring the sandbags to the Pinellas County Solid Waste Facility, 3095 114th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, where they can be disposed. Disposal fees apply. The sandbags must be separated from other waste because sand will not burn in the county’s waste-to-energy facility and can damage equipment used to grind yard debris into mulch.
- Spread the sand on lawns or landscape beds, and place only the bags in your garbage bin for pickup by your hauler. Do not place the bags in your recycling bin.
- Pinellas County Environmental Management advises residents to not dump their sandbags onto the beach. Sand used to help stop flooding may be different from beach sand and can cause issues for turtle nesting, among other problems.
For the operating hours at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal facility and other information, visit http://www.pinellascounty.org/solidwaste/.