MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Marion County, in partnership with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management and the city of Ocala, have set up sandbag stations to try to help residents protect their homes in the wake of torrential rains this week.

In Ocala, the stations are at E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St.; Martel Recreation Center, 6501 SE 107th St., and Jervey Gantt, 2200 SE 36^th Ave. In Belleview, a station is set up at the Belleview Sportsplex, 6501 SE 107th St.

They will be open Friday until 6 p.m. or until the sand is gone and were open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. The locations and hours of operation could change because of weather conditions.

Residents can get up to 10 sandbags at no cost. The locations are self-serve, but assistance will be provided if needed.

The sandbags can be placed at the bottom of doorways, driveway aprons, garage doors and other areas around the home to try to prevent water intrusion during storms and severe weather.