Sandbag sites open in Hernando Co. following flooding of the Withlacoochee River

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) – Two sandbag sites are now open to Hernando County residents following flooding along the Withlacoochee River.

Sandbags are available at the Ridge Manor Community Center at 34240 Cortez Blvd. at Ridge Manor and the Spring Lake Methodist Church at 4191 Spring Lake Highway in Brooksville, according to a Facebook post from Hernando County Emergency Management.

Each location is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. People picking up sandbags are asked to bring their own shovels to fill the bags.

Officials offered the following tips on using sandbags:

• Only fill sandbags half or two-thirds full.

• Overfilled bags could result in a leaky sandbag wall

• Stack the bags so that the seams are offset

• Tuck the top of each bag down so that it closes itself under its own weight

On Friday, county officials urged residents living in the Withlacoochee River area to evacuate as water in the river rose rapidly.

“Do NOT drive through flood water,” Hernando County Fire said Posted on X.

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