As of Monday, September 26, 2022, sandbags are now available in Okaloosa County ahead of Hurricane Ian.

• Hurricane Ian became a Category 1 hurricane on Monday morning and is projected to continue strengthening into a major hurricane this week. 

“While current tracking places a Hurricane Ian landfall as a Category 1 storm over 200 miles to the east of Okaloosa County, we are monitoring closely for shifts and local impacts,” wrote the Okaloosa Public Information Office in a statement on Monday.

In order to help residents prepare now, self-service sand and sandbags have been made available at the following locations:

• Stillwell Park – 710 Essex Rd, Fort Walton Beach
• Public Works North – 1759 S Ferdon Blvd, Crestview

Sign up for emergency alerts from the county and download the hurricane guide (where you will find a list of hurricane preparedness supplies) at alertokaloosa.com.