JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – As Tropical Storm Francine approaches the Gulf Coast, officials with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) are encouraging Mississippians to prepare for the storm.

“MEMA has deployed over 100,000 sandbags to counties in preparation for the storm and is in contact with local emergency managers. Other state agencies are on standby to provide resources and respond as necessary,” said Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.).

Most of the sandbag distribution locations are self-serve. Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own bags and shovels.

Sandbag Distribution Locations

Adams County

Self-filled sandbags for county residents are located at the Foster Mound Volunteer Fire Department or The Adams County Maintenance Shop between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. City residents can go to The City of Natchez Public Works Department between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for sandbags. You must bring your own shovel; no shovels will be provided.

Forrest County

• Forrest County EOC – 4080 US Hwy 11, Hattiesburg, MS
• Hattiesburg Fire Station #1 – 810 North Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS
• Petal Fire Station #1 – 102 Fairchild Drive, Petal, MS
• Forrest County District 5 Barn – 2169 Carnes Road, Brooklyn, MS

Hancock County

The Hancock County Emergency Management Agency will have self-serve sand and sandbags at the following locations beginning Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Bring your own shovel. If you need assistance with getting the sand-bags, contact the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency at 228-255-0942 or Hancock County Central Dispatch at 228-255-9191

• Emergency Operations Center/Storm Prep Building – 18333 Hwy 603, Kiln MS
• Old Hancock County Complex – 3068 Longfellow Drive, Bay St. Louis, MS
• Lakeshore Community Center – 6440 Lower Bay Road, Bay St. Louis, MS
• West Hancock Fire Department – 16006 Washington Street, Pearlington, MS
• Diamondhead City Hall – 5000 Diamondhead Circle, Diamondhead, MS

Harrison County

Bags and sand will be provided, but residents are required to bring their own shovels and fill the bags themselves.

• Harrison County Road Department -10076 Lorraine Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503
• D’Iberville Work Center -10085 1st Ave., D’Iberville, MS 39540
• Woolmarket Work Center -16395 Old Woolmarket Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532
• Lyman Work Center -15001 County Farm Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503
• Long Beach Work Center – 605 North Seal Ave., Long Beach, MS 39560
• Orange Grove Work Center – 8300 34th Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501
• Courthouse Rd. Pier – 96 Courthouse Rd., Gulfport, MS 39507
• Long Beach Harbor – 720 S Cleveland Ave., Long Beach, MS 39560

Jackson County

• Ocean Springs Public Works – 712 Pine Drive, Ocean Springs, MS
• Behind Gautier City Hall, 3330 US-90, Gautier, MS
• West Division Roads Department – North Washington Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS
• Forts Lake Fire Department – 10701 Forts Lake Road, Moss Point, MS
• Central Division Roads Department – 8500 Jim Ramsey Road, Vancleave, MS
• New Central Fire Station – 4204 Bellview Street, Moss Point, MS
• Jackson County Fairgrounds – 2902 Shortcut Road, Pascagoula, MS
• Fontainebleau Fire Department – 3901 Hwy 57 South, Ocean Springs, MS
• East Division Roads Department – 10825 Hwy 63, Moss Point, MS
• St. Andrews Fire Department – 1401 Elm Street, Ocean Springs, MS

Lamar County

• Lamar County Emergency Management – 196 Central Industrial Row, Purvis, MS
• Northeast Fire Station – 753 Weathersby Road, Hattiesburg, MS
• Sumrall City Hall – 4880 Hwy 589, Sumrall, MS

Pearl River County (opening at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10)

• Henleyfield-Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 – 6868 Hwy 43 North, Carriere, MS
• Nicholson Volunteer Fire Department Station 1 – 1981 Hwy 11 South, Picayune, MS
• Pinegrove Station 2 – 262 Liberty Road, Picayune, MS
• Emergency Operations Center – 810 Hwy 11 South, Poplarville, MS

Yazoo County

• District 3 Volunteer Fire Department – 171 Old Benton Road, Yazoo, MS
• Yazoo City Fire Department Station 3 – 610 East 15th Street, Yazoo, MS