Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
A slight south-eastward movement of Tropical Storm Milton could offer a small ray of hope for southeastern Polk County as the storm approaches the west coast of Florida later this week. The worst impacts of the storm are expected locally on Wednesday.
A slight southerly trend in model predictions could significantly change the way Milton affects southeast Polk County.
The 11 a.m. statement from the National Hurricane Center in Miami noted that the center of the intensifying cyclone has been moving slowly to the east-southeast, a trend that has moved the needle on the multiple computer models tracking the storm, as well as the official forecast, which has shifted southward.
The system now has sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and is moving at only 6 miles per hour. The forecast calls for steady to rapid intensification and an eventual turn toward the northeast. It is forecast to reach major Hurricane status before landfall.
Florida residents should be preparing for a strong storm and the possibility of lengthy power outages and other impacts. Hurricane watches and warnings are likely to be raised across portions of the state later today, according to the NHC.
LOCAL IMPACTS MAY CHANGE
If the slight shift in the forecast track is maintained it will affect both the wind direction and strength for Polk County.
As the storm, expected to become a Category 3 or stronger storm over the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the strongest winds and highest storm surge will impact Florida south of the point of landfall.
Because hurricanes spin in a counter-clockwise direction, the wind speeds on the right side of the line of travel are enhanced, while those on the left are reduced.
A more southerly track would leave to storm south of this region, leaving Polk County on the weaker left side of the center, with the strongest winds locally approaching from the east and northeast.
A second factor may also come into play regarding local impacts as wind shear may potentially weaken the storm even as it causes the wind-field to expand. Those effects may occur shortly before landfall.
The latest model trends have shifted the center of the consensus track to the south of Tampa Bay, which would greatly reduce the potential for catastrophic storm surge into the shallow bay. The fear of such an event has been a frequent topic of discussion for emergency management planners, as it could cause damage to buildings and infrastructure that would likely be among the most costly in history.
Current forecasts call for storm surge south of the point of landfall significantly higher than that of Hurricane Helene, which caused major damage to coastal towns from south Florida to the Big Bend region.
Heavy rainfall and localized to widespread flooding is expected due to the heavy rains which are preceding and accompanying the intensifying cyclone over the heated waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
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
Although no mandatory evacuation orders will be issued in Polk County, storm shelters may be opened as needed. For the latest information on the availability of shelters, please visit https://www.polk-county.net/public-safety/emergency-management/find-a-shelter/.
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