Where to Get Free Sand on the Gulf Coast and How Cities Are Preparing for Tropical Depression Nine

MOBILE, Ala. — With Tropical Depression Nine forecast to strengthen and approach the northern Gulf Coast late this week, cities and counties from Mobile to Destin have opened free sand sites, and local leaders are urging residents to finish their storm preparations while the weather is still calm. Here is where to find sand and how communities across south Alabama and northwest Florida are getting ready.

Forecasters said Tuesday the depression could become Tropical Storm Isaias early Wednesday and a hurricane by Thursday, with Friday into early Saturday emerging as the main window for local impacts. Heavy rain is one of the most confident threats, and with the ground still soaked from last weekend’s storms, flooding is a key concern for many neighborhoods.

Free Sand in Baldwin County

Gulf Shores

The City of Gulf Shores has a limited amount of sand available at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, 19025 Oak Road West. Sandbags and shovels are not provided there, but residents can buy them at local hardware and home improvement stores.

Orange Beach

• Location: Behind Orange Beach City Hall, 4099 Orange Beach Blvd.
• Rules: No more than five bags. Shovels are provided for anyone who does not bring one, and sandbags are provided if needed.

Foley

• Location: The old Public Works facility, 120 E. Orchid Ave.
• Access: Use the north gate at the east end of E. Marigold Ave., behind South Baldwin County United Way.
• Rules: Sand, sandbags and shovels are provided. Residents fill their own bags on site.

Free Sand in Northwest Florida

Escambia County

Sand is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the sites are open 24 hours a day. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels.

• Baars Field Athletic Park, 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
• Brent Athletic Park, 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
• Don Sutton Park, 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
• Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
• Escambia County Road Department, 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola
• Ferry Pass Middle School, 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (sand will be on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street)
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park, 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
• Travis M. Nelson Park, 4541 County Road 4, Century

Santa Rosa County

Sand is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• The corner of Leisure Street and Citrus Drive, Navarre
• Tiger Point Park, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze
• Pace Fire-Rescue, 4773 Pace Patriot Boulevard, Pace
• The corner of Pine Forest Road and Carroll Road, Milton

Okaloosa County

Sand and sandbags will be available beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

• 714 Essex Rd., Fort Walton Beach
• 1759 South Ferdon Blvd., Crestview

Destin

• Location: City of Destin Public Works Facility, 3949 Commons Drive
• Rules: Sandbags are available at the Public Works office, with a limit of 12 bags per household. Shovels and sand-filling funnels are provided on site so residents can fill their own bags.

Gulf Shores Urges Residents to Have a Plan

The City of Gulf Shores said Tuesday that it is closely monitoring Tropical Depression Nine. While details about the system’s track and strength were still limited, the city encouraged residents and visitors to have a plan in place and take steps now so they are ready for any impacts.

People living in low-lying or flood-prone areas should expect the possibility of rising water, have an evacuation plan and be prepared to act, the city said. Its guidance also included:

• Stay weather alert. Follow updates from the National Weather Service and local officials, charge mobile devices and make sure weather radios and alert systems work.
• Protect your property. Bring patio furniture, garbage cans, bicycles and other loose outdoor items inside. Secure or anchor items that cannot be moved, such as grills and propane tanks, and trim or remove trees or limbs that could fall on buildings.
• Get your re-entry decal now. Residents should confirm they have current hurricane re-entry decals and obtain them as soon as possible. Once a hurricane warning is issued, the city will stop distributing decals.
• Turn around, don’t drown. Never drive through flooded roads. The depth of the water and the strength of the current can be deceptive and deadly.
• Review your family’s emergency plan so everyone knows where to go and what to do if conditions worsen.

The city said it will continue posting updates on its website and social media channels, and residents can sign up for the city’s free notification program to receive text alerts. Gulf Shores also pointed residents to the National Weather Service in Mobile for the latest forecasts.

Dauphin Island: ‘Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute’

Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier issued a message Tuesday telling island residents, property owners and visitors to monitor the forecast closely. He noted that the system was expected to strengthen over the next few days and could make landfall as a strong tropical storm or possibly a hurricane.

“ALL of these predictions are less than certain at this time BUT island residents, property owners, and visitors should monitor forecasts and plan to take appropriate action if the storm heads our way,” Collier wrote. “Don’t wait until the last minute!”

Collier also encouraged beachgoers to watch for and obey warning flags, since the risk of rip currents is increasing. The town will keep providing updates until the storm passes, he said.

Mobile: Crews on Standby, Shoppers Stocking Up

In Mobile, Alabama Power said its crews are already on standby. “We are always ready to respond, and our crews will certainly be ready to respond throughout the weekend as this storm comes through,” said Beth Thomas with Alabama Power.

At Paris Ace Hardware on Cottage Hill Road, manager Justin Stringfellow said customers had already started buying storm supplies by Tuesday.

“We’ve sold a few chainsaws. We’ve sold some propane. People are going to be getting ready for their generators. Some people are going to need things to grill with outside, especially if they lose power on their stoves,” Stringfellow said.

The store has a hurricane preparedness supply checklist for customers who are unsure what they need, he said.

“We sell any kind of cleanup supplies. We sell sandbags and sand. We’ve got a lot in between as well. So anything that somebody might need for any kind of hurricane preparation, we’ve got it here at Paris Ace Cottage Hill. Fortune favors a prepared mind,” Stringfellow said.

Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis said the city will raise its emergency level soon. For now, city leaders are monitoring the storm, and the mayor said a decision could come as soon as Wednesday.

Tips for Using Sandbags

As general background, sandbags work best as a way to slow and redirect shallow water, not as a waterproof seal. Emergency management agencies commonly recommend:

• Filling bags only about half to two-thirds full so they can be shaped and packed tightly.
• Placing bags snugly against each other and staggering rows like bricks to reduce gaps.
• Laying plastic sheeting behind a sandbag barrier where possible to help keep water out.
• Focusing on the most vulnerable entry points, such as doorways and garage doors.

Filled sandbags are heavy, so it helps to bring a partner and lift carefully. Residents should also keep generators outdoors and well away from doors and windows if the power goes out, since generator exhaust contains deadly carbon monoxide.

What Comes Next

Forecasters said Wednesday and Thursday should remain mostly dry across south Alabama and northwest Florida, making them the best days to pick up sand, secure property and review emergency plans. Conditions could deteriorate Friday, with the most significant coastal impacts possible Friday night into early Saturday if the current forecast holds.

Residents should keep checking updates from the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service in Mobile and their city or county government, as sand availability and local emergency decisions could change quickly as the storm approaches.