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City of Winter Haven Hosting School’s Out Camp for Hurricane Milton

Staff Reporter
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City of Winter Haven Hosting School’s Out Camp for Hurricane Milton

School’s Out Camp

The City of Winter Haven will host a School’s Out Camp on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, as schools are closed ahead of Hurricane Milton. The camp is open to students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. It will take place from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Rotary Park (350 6th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881). The cost is $5 for City residents and $10 for non-residents. Parents or guardians must register campers upon arrival. Campers should come prepared with lunch, two snacks, and a water bottle for the day.

Camp may be available Thursday and Friday following the storm, but that determination cannot be made until we know what impacts the storm has on facilities. Please stay tuned to the City’s website and social media for updates. 

*** Camp date and time is subject to change based on impacts sustained from the storm. Please stay tuned to our website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Severe-Weather-Alert-Hurricane-Milton-30

Polk County Shelter & Hurricane Resource Information

Carl Fish
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Polk County Shelter & Hurricane Resource Information

Polk County Shelters to Open 

Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 6, 2024) – 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 www.polk-county.net. You may also obtain further emergency information at www.facebook.com/polkcountyem and www.twitter.com/polkemergency.

Milton Develops into Hurricane and is Gaining Strength

Staff Reporter
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Milton Develops into Hurricane and is Gaining Strength

National Hurricane Center

Milton is forecast to quickly intensify while it moves eastward to northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico and be a major hurricane when it reaches the west coast of the Florida Peninsula mid week. Users are reminded to not focus on the details of the forecast as there remains significant uncertainty in the eventual track and intensity of Milton.

While it is too soon to specify the exact magnitude and location of the greatest impacts, there is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches could be issued later today or tonight.

Residents in the Florida Peninsula should follow any advice given by local officials and check back for updates to the forecast.

Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today and Monday well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall will bring the risk of flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential of moderate to major river flooding.

Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning Monday across portions of the northern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect.

National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center

Polk County Public Schools To Be Closed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

Carl Fish
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Polk County Public Schools To Be Closed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

Message From Polk County Schools

Lake Wales Charter School Often Follows Exactly What The County Issues

Dear families,

This is an important update regarding Hurricane Milton.

This storm is expected to continue strengthening and impact our state in the coming days.

Based on the most current forecast, we do not expect significant weather in Polk County tomorrow, Monday, Oct. 7. Consequently, all PCPS schools and offices will remain open during regular hours tomorrow.

However, we will be canceling or rescheduling Monday’s after-school programs and sports. For specific information about rescheduled events, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s school directly.

Please be advised that all PCPS schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 8, Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10, in response to this storm.

County emergency officials have directed PCPS to activate some of our schools that will be serving as storm shelters for those evacuating their homes.

County emergency officials will be sharing shelter information with the public as it becomes available. Please note only certain schools will be activated to serve as shelters. Visit the Polk County Government’s website and social media for official shelter information.

Again, all PCPS schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Please note that our decision to close schools does not extend to charter and private schools. We recommend that you contact those institutions directly for any relevant information.

At this time, no decision has been made regarding Friday’s operations for PCPS schools and offices.

We will continue to work closely with emergency management personnel, as well as monitor weather forecasts and this storm’s impact on our community and state.

For any official announcements or updates, please stay tuned for communications via automated phone calls, emails, our website and social media accounts.

As always, your safety is our top priority. We encourage you to prepare adequately and ensure your family is ready for any weather-related challenges.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation. Please stay safe.

Sand Bag Fill Locations Open In Frostproof

Carl Fish
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Sand Bag Fill Locations Open In Frostproof

Sand and sandbags are available at the Frostproof Fire Department.

The City of Frostproof, Florida Government is offering a sandbag fill location at the Frostproof Fire Department. This is a self serve location, please bring your own shovel. Bags are available to City residents and are limited to 10 per household. The sand and sandbags will be available 24 hours per day. Bags are left for your use on the honor system after 5:00 p.m. Please adhere to the 10 per household rule.

For those people residing outside the City Limits of Frostproof, Polk County Government is making sandbags available throughout the county on Sunday, Oct 6th and Monday, Oct 7th. Those County locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

City of Winter Haven Opening Sandbag Fill Station Monday and Tuesday

Staff Reporter
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City of Winter Haven Opening Sandbag Fill Station Monday and Tuesday

UPDATE

Due to high demand and weather conditions allowing it, the City of Winter Haven is extending the hours of the sandbag station. The site will remain open until 4:00 p.m. today (Tuesday, October 8).

 

·         Rueben Williams Sports Complex (Previously Lake Maude Recreation Park) at 1751 7th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881

·         This is a self-serve station, and residents are encouraged to bring their own shovels. That said, many City staff members have been diverted to the site to help fill and tie bags. Residents will have support from City staff.

·         The limit is 10 bags per household or business.

 

The site will need to shut down at 4:00 to allow staff time to secure equipment and return to safety ahead of incoming bad weather. We thank citizens in advance for their understanding.

—————

Original post:

The City of Winter Haven will open a sandbag fill station in advance of potential impacts from Tropical Storm Milton. Please enter along Lake Maude Dr. and follow staff instructions and directional signs to keep the site running smoothly.

HOURS: Monday & Tuesday (October 7 -8) – 10:00 a.m. – Dusk (As weather permits.)
LOCATION: Rueben Williams Sports Complex (Previously Lake Maude Recreation Park) – 1751 7th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
ENTRANCE: Please enter on Lake Maude Dr.
LIMIT: 10 bags per Winter Haven resident. (Defined by a Winter Haven address on an ID.)
NOTE: This is a self-serve station. Residents are encouraged to bring your own shovels. The City provides the bags and sand.

Please text “hello” to 877-522-7594 to subscribe to emergency alerts.

Visit our website for up-to-date information: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Severe-Weather-Alert-Tropical-Storm-Milt-30

Self Serve Sandbag Locations Lake Wales

Carl Fish
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Self Serve Sandbag Locations Lake Wales

NEWS SANDPILE LOCATION: FIRST STREET & TILLMAN AVENUE

In preparation for the storm, the City is providing sand and complementary sandbags while supplies last. Citizens must bring a shovel to the designated sandpile location and be prepared to shovel sand into the sandbags. Citizens may stop by either fire station to receive up to ten empty sandbags.

Step #1: Stop by either Lake Wales Fire Departments to pick up empty sandbags.

Step #2: Head to the sandpile at First Street and Tillman Avenue.

Lake Wales Fire Departments:
600 Chalet Suzanne Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33859
253 W. Central Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853.

Polk County Sandbag Sites Open Tomorrow & Monday In 6 Locations

Carl Fish
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Polk County Sandbag Sites Open Tomorrow & Monday In 6 Locations

Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2024) — Polk County sandbag sites will be open to residents at the locations listed below Oct. 6 and 7 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

Sandbag site locations are:

 

  • Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry
  • Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland
  • Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade
  • Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof
  • Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale
  • Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee
  • Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee 34759

 

A maximum of 10 prefilled sandbags will be provided to each household address to help prevent water intrusion into the home. You will need to bring a driver’s license to show your local address.

 

Residents living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes. To protect against water damage, follow these simple sandbagging techniques. At the area where water can enter a structure:

 

  • If not working on concrete, dig a small ditch just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible (sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the visqueen should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.

 

  • Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold visqueen over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top, fold visqueen back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so on. This creates an “S” pattern with the visqueen.

 

Depending on the size of the barrier, submersible (sump) pumps can be used. The barrier will not completely stop water from entering the protected area; however, by properly placing bags, visqueen and sump pumps, water, in most cases, can be removed quickly.

Sandbag Fill Stations For The City Residents Of Haines City

Carl Fish
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Sandbag Fill Stations For The City Residents Of Haines City

Beginning Sunday, the City of Haines City will provide two sandbag fill sites that will open from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM in preparation for the approaching inclement weather.
The fill site locations will be at the Haines City Public Infrastructure Department located at 300 N. 5th St. and the Larry Parrish Baseball Complex at 2401 E. Johnson Ave (please use Google Maps).
A maximum of ten (10) sandbags will be provided to each household. Sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For any additional information please contact Public Works at (863) 289-4352.

Tropical or Subtropical Depression or Storm Likely to Form Late This Weekend or Early Next Week

Staff Reporter
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Tropical or Subtropical Depression or Storm Likely to Form Late This Weekend or Early Next Week

National Hurricane Center

As of 8:00 PM EDT Fri Oct 4 2024…
Gulf of Mexico:
A broad area of low pressure located over the southwestern Gulf of  Mexico is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of this system is expected, and a tropical or subtropical depression or storm is likely to form late this weekend or early next week while the system moves eastward or northeastward 
across the Gulf of Mexico. Interests in the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys should monitor the progress of this system. 


Regardless of tropical or subtropical development, locally heavy rains could occur over portions of Mexico during the next day or two, and over much of Florida late this weekend through the middle of next week.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…30 percent. 
* Formation chance through 7 days…high…70 percent.

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