Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
The latest update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami has raised the stakes for a direct strike upon southeast Polk County and the Lake Wales area. Residents are strongly urged to rush preparations to completion.
The 11 a.m. NHC report said that with sustained winds of 155 MPH, Hurricane Milton is continuing to approach Florida. Continued intensification is expected, and Milton should be at Category 5 this afternoon with sustained winds of 160 MPH or more, accompanied by higher gusts capable of causing catastrophic damage. The official forecast track brings the center of the cyclone directly over Polk County.
Hurricane Milton remains poised to pass directly over Polk County overnight on Wednesday into Thursday. The storm is expected to bring widespread damage to the area.
The storm is expected to bring tropical storm-force winds to the area by late Tuesday, with the peak intensity overnight on Thursday.
All schools in Polk County, including Lake Wales Charter Schools, will be closed Tuesday through Thursday. A possible re-opening on Friday is likely to be depended on conditions at that time, which are not expected to be favorable.
A persistent mid-level low over the eastern Gulf of Mexico has caused the center of Hurricane Milton to move south of its forecast track. It is now approaching the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Despite that movement, computer models continue to show the storm making a turn to the northeast and approaching the west coast of Florida near or over the Tampa Bay region, a worst-case scenario of emergency managers and insurers, who may be facing unprecedented levels of damage.
As the storm nears the state, an increasing amount of shearing winds in the upper atmosphere may weaken the Hurricane, but it is likely to remain a very powerful system.
The exact angle of approach will determine the angle of the strongest winds, which are likely to be from the south just ahead of the arrival of the center. A track farther south would bring lessened but still-destructive winds to our area, while a path just to our north would subject the region to the full force of the Hurricane.
No Shelters Offered in Southeast Polk County
In response to the threat, Polk County emergency managers have announced the opening multiple shelters, but no convenient shelters are being offered to serve residents in the southeast Polk cities of Lake Wales, Frostproof, or Fort Meade. There is no mechanism for mandatory evacuations of inland areas, including Polk County, which may be expected to receive evacuees from coastal regions.
According to the statement issued by Polk Emergency Management, "based on the current projections and estimated time of Hurricane Milton's arrival to Polk County, the following public shelters will be open at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8:
• Auburndale High School, 1 Bloodhound Trail, Auburndale
• Spessard Holland Elementary School, 2432 E.F. Griffin Road, Bartow
• Citrus Ridge Academy, 1775 Sand Mine Road, Davenport
• Horizons Elementary School, 1700 Forest Lake Dr., Davenport
• George Jenkins High School, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland
• Highlands Grove Elementary, 4510 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland
• Kathleen High School, 1100 Red Devil Way, Lakeland
• R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School, 5500 Yates Road, Lakeland
• Sleepy Hill Elementary School, 2285 Sleepy Hill Road, Lakeland
• Mulberry Middle School, 500 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Mulberry
• Lake Marion Creek Middle School, 3055 Lake Marion Creek Dr., Poinciana
• Chain of Lakes Elementary School, 7001 Hwy. 653, Winter Haven
• Winter Haven High School, 600 6th St. S.E., Winter Haven
Three pet friendly shelters will also be open noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
They are located at:
• Haines City High School, 2800 Hornet Dr., Haines City
• Lake Region High School, 1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake
• Tenoroc High School, 4905 Saddle Creek Road, Lakeland
Pet owners must bring shot records for their pets, an airline-approved carrying case or crate and pet food.
Special Needs shelters will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, for those residents with special and/or Medical needs. Special needs shelters are temporary emergency facilities capable of providing care to residents whose Medical condition(s) may require the use of electrical equipment, oxygen or dialysis, or individuals with physical, cognitive or Medical conditions who may require assistance from Medical professionals. Although special needs shelters provide more care than a general shelter, they do not provide the level of care found in a Medical facility.
The Special Needs shelters are located at:
• FDOH Polk Specialty Care Unit, 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow
• Ridge Community High School, 500 W. Orchid Dr., Davenport
• McKeel Academy, 1810 W. Parker St., Lakeland
For the most up-to-date information, please monitor your local news media or call the Citizen's Information Line at (863) 298-7500 (locally) or toll-free 866-661-0228. Check the county website for updates at http://www.polk-county.net. You may also obtain further emergency information at http://www.facebook.com/polkcountyem and http://www.twitter.com/polkemergency.
Sandbags Available
Residents are again urged to have a Hurricane plan in place. Most residents should plan to shelter in place, with adequate stores of food, water, medicines, and battery or solar-powered devices for lighting in case of power outages.
Heavy rainfall is expected to begin today and continue through the storm passage, ending on Friday.
Residents of low-lying areas, mobile homes, or temporary shelters should be prepared to evacuate if called upon.
Sandbags are available at several locations including Polk Road Maintenance units in
• Dundee at 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW
• Fort Meade at 1061 NE 9th Street.
• Frostproof at 350 County Road 630A
• Lake Wales fire stations, to be filled at First Street and Tillman Avenue site
• Poinciana residents can obtain sandbags at 5109 Allegheny Road in Kissimmee 34759
Those seeking shelter should remember to bring medications and personal effects including toothbrushes and similar needs.
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