St. Johns County to Distribute 14,500 Free Sandbags Ahead of Hurricane Season

• 17 June 2025
• Category: Hurricane SJC News
• Tags: 2025

The giveaway will take place June 24-26 at multiple locations

June 17, 2025 – In an effort to help residents prepare for hurricane season before storms approach, St. Johns County will distribute 14,500 free, pre-filled sandbags at multiple locations throughout the County from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates:

• Tuesday, June 24
  • Butler Park West – 399 Riverside Blvd., St. Augustine
  • Smith Road Storage Facility (next to the Equestrian Center) – 8200 Smith Road, Hastings
• Wednesday, June 25
  • Solomon Calhoun Community Center – 1300 Duval St., St. Augustine
  • Vilano Beach Boat Ramp – 101 Vilano Causeway, St. Augustine
• Thursday, June 26
  • Mills Field – 1805 Racetrack Road, St. Johns
  • Palm Valley Bridge (South Roscoe Boulevard side) – Under the bridge on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway

There is a limit of 12 sandbags per vehicle, and each bag weighs approximately 30 pounds. Please be considerate of your neighbors and adhere to the 12-sandbag limit so that this limited resource can benefit as many residents as possible. County residents must provide proof of residency, such as a valid ID or a recent mailing letter. St. Johns County staff will be on site to assist those in need.  The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to highlight the work that went into preparing this large-scale community event.

This initiative is made possible through the County’s recent investment in a sandbag-making machine, allowing the Public Works Road and Bridge Division to increase efficiency and serve more residents ahead of severe weather events. This is the second consecutive year St. Johns County has preemptively provided a mass distribution of free sandbags ahead of the peak of hurricane season. On July 31, 2024, the County provided 12,000 free sandbags to residents.

For additional storm preparation resources, residents are encouraged to:

• Know your evacuation zone – Visit www.sjcemergencymanagement.com and use the “My Evacuation Zone” tool by entering your St. Johns County address.
• Review the 2025 Hurricane Preparedness Guide – Available online or as a free printed copy at all St. Johns County Public Library System branches.
• Sign up for emergency alerts – Register at www.AlertStJohns.com to receive time-sensitive notifications by phone, email, or text.
• Receive Nixle alerts – Text StJohnsEOC to 888777 to opt in for SMS updates.
• Follow Emergency Management on social media – Get the latest local information by following St. Johns County Emergency Management on Facebook, and mark the page as a “Favorite” to ensure you see timely updates.
• Watch the Inside SJC: EOC After Dark video – Learn more about how the County works around the clock to serve the community during a hurricane.