County To Open Five Sandbag Locations, Monitors Potential Tropical Cyclone #4

Leon County has been closely monitoring the tropical disturbance in the northern Caribbean, designated as "Invest 97L," and is in close coordination with the National Weather Service.

According to the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center has been updating outlooks on a disturbance in the northern Caribbean, designated as "Invest 97L," which is now Potential Tropical Cyclone #4. Forecast models have shifted eastward, reducing the expected rainfall and flooding for Leon County. The current forecast predicts 2 to 3 inches of rain from Sunday to Tuesday.

While the exact path remains uncertain, we can anticipate heavy rain and gusty conditions in Leon County starting this weekend and potentially continuing into early next week.

Leon County has a host of critical resources to help residents stay informed and prepared:

• Visit LeonReady.com for a host of disaster resilience resources, including the 2024-25 Disaster Survival Guide.
• Sign up for Leon Alerts to receive time-sensitive emergency messages to your email or phone related to incidents such as severe weather and evacuations.
• Download the Citizens Connect App, Leon County’s best source for emergency news and alerts, available on the Apple or Google Play store.

In anticipation of potential heavy rainfall from Potential Tropical Cyclone #4, Leon County will open five sandbag locations for residents.

Starting Friday, August 2, at 2 p.m., sandbags will be available to the public at the following Leon County locations:

• Leon County's Northeast Branch Library, 5513 Thomasville Road
• Apalachee Regional Park (Solid Waste Management Facility), 7550 Apalachee Parkway
• Fred George Park, 3043 Capital Circle NW
• At the intersection of Oak Ridge Road at Ranchero Road
• Fort Braden Community Park, 15000 Blountstown Hwy

Leon County will staff these sites from dusk to dawn to assist residents in quickly filling sandbags. Sand, bags and ties will be available for public use. Residents are asked to take no more than 15 bags so as to allow others to prepare.

Leon County advises residents to not drive cars through flooded areas and that if they see flood waters to turn around and find another route. Residents are also encouraged not to attempt to walk through floodwaters. Any and all flood water should be considered to be contaminated. Do not allow children to play in, wade through or swim in flood water.

For critical emergency information, visit the Leon County Emergency Information Portal (EIP) at LeonCountyFL.gov/ei.

For updates on City of Tallahassee operations, visit Talgov.com.

For more information, contact Leon County Community and Media Relations at CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

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