The National Weather Service in Ruskin has issued a
* Tornado Warning for…
North central Polk County in central Florida…
* Until 830 AM EDT.
* At 803 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Jan Phyl Village, or near Auburndale, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD…Tornado.
SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near…
Winter Haven, Haines City, Auburndale, and Fussels Corner around 810 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Davenport, Lake Alfred, Winter Haven Airport, Polk City, Inwood, and Eagle Lake.
While the center of the storm has moved up to the Big Bend area of Florida this morning, the Lake Wales area continues to have rain, gusting wind, and the possibility of flooding.
According to the National Weather Service, a Tropical Storm Watch remains active in our area until further notice.
Tropical storm force winds may peak at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph. The sustained wind should remain less than tropical storm force. Conditions may still be gusty. 
A Flood Watch is in effect. An additional 2 to 4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, is expected.
A Tornado Watch is in effect. The situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes. If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to take shelter quickly.
Kelly Geniott and Rachel Negrete, Communications & Engagement Intern
If you’ve been to Kathryn’s Christian Books in downtown Lake Wales, you already know something about Kelly Geniott. She’s known for her beautiful lettering and management skills. At the Lake Wales Recreation Center, she’s known for her cycling and teaching skills. Her communication skills will be put to good use right away.
The City of Lake Wales recently introduced Geniott as the newest member of their Communications and Engagement Department.
“The City is working on a lot of important initiatives,” says Geniott. “I am here to help communicate the progress.”
According to a recent social media post by the City, Kelly will be overseeing at least four major communications campaigns. In one, she’s working with Lake Wales Main Street to bring attention to downtown businesses through a video series called “Hot Spot to Shop,” hosted by Ronni Wood and Ken Suarez. She will also be working to get the word out about the multimillion-dollar improvements at the airport, along with promoting the City in a Garden initiative and the Lake Wales History Museum. Other responsibilities include writing feature articles, facilitating social media and hosting various news segments on video.
In addition, Kelly is developing new graphics you’ll see around town, like one with a citrus theme that will show up on a water tower near you very soon.
There’s an underlying theme planned for each new project that comes her way: “Making sure that we are connecting to our heritage with a forward-thinking vision,” Kelly explained.
Each campaign will incorporate the vision set forth by the city’s greatest, such as internationally acclaimed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., who laid out the plans for Lake Wales to become a City in a Garden, and Edward Bok, who developed Mountain Lake Estates and donated the property for Bok Tower Gardens.
Geniott with Taylor Hamilton, Multimedia Contactor with the City of Lake Wales
When asked why it is important for the community to have someone in this role at the City, Geniott quickly responded, saying, “I love the origin of things, the history of things; there’s a new team here at the city and everybody’s making sure that we are staying strong to our heritage.”
Kelly is well prepared to take on the challenge. For more than two decades, she has raised her family here and been an integral part of the community.
As a lifelong athlete, she enjoys running, participating in local races such as the Lake Wales Care Center’s “Run Like You Care 10K.” You’ll also find her at the Lake Wales Recreation Center where she teaches Les Mills RPM, a group-cycling class.
Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Design from what is now known as Jefferson University and studied further at Moore College of Art, both located in Philadelphia.
Eric Marshall, Communications and Engagement Director for the City of Lake Wales, says they have been working towards building up his department to focus on segments of community projects and city services. Ken Suarez, an independent contractor, reports on local human interest stories and more using social media, and Marshall is building their team up to include Geniott.
“We saw it time to introduce a female reporter, which Kelly is going to help to fill that role,” says Marshall. “Since she’s so connected with the community, and has years of experience working with the community, we find her to be the perfect fit for this role.”
A structure fire was reported to Lake Wales Fire Rescue and several units were dispatched to 6449 Lure Court, Lake Wales at approximately 10:41 p.m.
Public Information Officer, Jeff Foley, advises that the fire was in a small shed on the property, and that, at the time of publication, the fire was contained. No injuries were reported, and all members of the household were safe.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred Saturday, August 3, 2024 near Bartow.
At about 9:38 pm, deputies responded to the crash scene on US 17, approximately a half mile south of 91 Mine Road.
Upon arrival of first responders, 22-year old Aaron Angel Delgado of Eagle Lake was found with head trauma, and he was pronounced deceased by Polk County Fire Rescue.
The investigation so far, based on witness statements and evidence, determined that Mr. Delgado was driving a black 2008 Ford F150 pickup truck south on US 17 at a high-rate of speed and made rapid lane changes just prior to losing control of the vehicle. The truck left the roadway and rolled multiple times, causing Mr. Delgado to be ejected from it. He was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.
PCSO detectives believe that wet roadways may have been a factor in the crash, and they noted that the tires on the truck had very low tread depth which may have also been a contributing factor.
The southbound lanes of US 17 were reopened after about three hours after the crash, but the investigation is ongoing.
As of 2:15 p.m. today, Lake Wales Daily shares the above radar image of Tropical Storm Debby.
According to the National Weather Service, “The potential exists for localized flooding from heavy rainfall, occasional gusts to tropical storm force, and a few tornado in the outer rainbands over east central Florida (mainly this afternoon into Monday).”
As the storm develops, it is expected to become a hurricane within the next several hours.
“DEBBY EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN RAPIDLY INTO A HURRICANE BEFORE MAKING LANDFALL IN THE BIG BEND AREA OF FLORIDA… …MAJOR FLOOD THREAT FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES,” it states on the National Hurricane Center website.
If you have photos and information to share regarding the weather today, you can email maria@dailyridge.
Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after August 21st, 2024 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com Units belonging to the following:
CUSTOMER NAME:
Vanessa Winn
This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. *Unless otherwise noted units contain household items.
Polk Gardening and UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardeners Volunteers are bringing a special program, Dragonflies and Damselflies: Not Just Another Fly!, to the Lake Wales Public Library on Monday, August 5, from 3-4 p.m.
Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardener Volunteers to discover the fascinating world of damselflies and dragonflies in this workshop. Learn to identify these insects, understand their life cycles, and explore their roles in the ecosystem.
The Lake Wales Public Library is located at 290 Cypress Gardens Ln., Lake Wales.
For details and to register: https://dragonfliesaug2024.eventbrite.com
The storm has upgraded to a tropical storm- Tropical Storm Debby.
Tropical Storm A tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph (34 to 63 knots).
Location: 23.9°N 83.2°W Moving: NW at 15 mph Min pressure: 1007 mb Max sustained: 40 mph
Polk County remains under a Tropical Storm Watch.
RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Debby is expected to produce rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches, with maximum rainfall totals up to 18 inches, across portions of Florida and along the Southeast U.S. coast this weekend through Thursday. This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with significant river flooding expected.
National Hurricane CenterNational Hurricane Center
Here is the full National Weather Service severe weather alert:
* WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: The sustained wind should remain less than tropical storm force. Conditions may still be gusty. – PREPARE: Listen for any instructions from local officials. – ACT: Ensure emergency readiness should the forecast change.
– REALIZED IMPACTS: Being Assessed – Little to no additional wind impacts expected. Community officials are now assessing the extent of actual wind impacts accordingly.
* FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. – PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. – ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. – Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
– THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Plans should still include the potential for a few tornadoes. – PREPARE: Keep informed should additional weather alerts be needed. – ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.
– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. – A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. – Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and boats pulled from moorings.
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that Lake County Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell, on behalf of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, announces the passing of one of our own. Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link died in the line of duty overnight heroically serving his community and fellow deputies after responding to a disturbance call in the northeast portion of our county in rural Eustis, during which two other deputies were also shot.
Master Deputy Link 28, first became part of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as a young Explorer. A graduate of Lake Minneola High School, he served in the Army Reserves prior to being hired as a deputy sheriff by the Polk County Sheriffs Office in 2017. In October 2019, Master Deputy Link joined our agency as a deputy sheriff, where he quickly became part of our family and faithfully served our citizens with courage and zeal. Brad, as our Sheriff’s Office family knew him, touched the lives of all who were blessed enough to work with him: his contributions and the impact of this loss will not soon be forgotten.
Prayers for Master Deputy Link’s wife, Brittany, and his parents, Christi and Daniel, as well as for our agency and the community he so faithfully served are greatly appreciated during this time of tremendous loss.
