Hurricane Jose Update:
Category 1
Sustained winds of 75 MPH
Moving East at 6 MPH
Temporary Phone Number Change For Polk County Utilities Customer Service Calls
Temporary Phone Number Change For Polk County Utilities
Customer Service Calls
Bartow, Fla. (September 12, 2017) — Polk County Utilities Customers are asked to call the following temporary number in order to reach customer service: 863-559-5225
Landfill and garbage collection service beginning Tuesday, Sept. 12
Landfill and garbage collection service beginning Tuesday, Sept. 12
The North Central Landfill, located at 7399 DeCastro Road in Winter Haven, will reopen on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 11 a.m. The landfill had been closed on Monday due to Hurricane Irma.
With the landfill reopening, Republic Services has committed to running Tuesday’s routes on Tuesday. According to Waste & Recycling Director Ana Wood, Republic has chosen not to collect the remainder of last Thursday’s routes, their Friday routes that were not picked up on Saturday, and Monday’s routes missed due to the hurricane.
Polk County Utilities issues precautionary Boil Water Notice
Polk County Utilities issues precautionary Boil Water Notice
Bartow, Fla. (September 11, 2017) — Polk County Utilities is issuing a Department of Health required “PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE” due to a loss of pressure.
This notice is for customers located in subdivisions and places of business in the Lake Garfield Public Water System, which includes Lake Garfield Estates on the south side of Highway 60, east of Bartow. Approximately 120 customers are affected.
As a precaution, we advise that all water users drink bottled water and/or boil water to a rolling boil for at least one minute for cooking and drinking.
For areas without power, disinfect the tap water by adding 8 drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of plain unscented household beach per gallon of water and allow the water to stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, repeat the procedure. Use a container that has a cap or cover for disinfecting and storing water to be used for drinking. This will prevent contamination.
This “PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE” will remain in effect until ongoing water sampling analysis is completed. Polk County Utilities will issue notice rescinding this precautionary measure once satisfactory results have been confirmed, which is normally after 48 hours.
As a further precaution, the water lines in your area will be flushed.
For questions or concerns regarding this notice you may contact Customer Service at (863) 534-7351 or Steve Whidden, Water Treatment Manager (Interim), at (863) 271-0309.
Polk County Public Schools, Offices Scheduled to Reopen on Monday, Sept. 18
Polk County Public Schools, Offices Scheduled to Reopen on Monday, Sept. 18
Due to widespread power outages and school sites that are serving as shelters, Polk County public schools and district offices will remain closed until Monday, Sept. 18.
This week, maintenance employees will be checking schools to evaluate damage and make repairs following Hurricane Irma. Teachers will report to work on Friday, Sept. 15, to prepare their classrooms for Monday’s reopening.
Buses are expected to also resume operations on Monday, Sept. 18. Please check your school’s website to see if there have been any changes to sports schedules or other activities.
Please be advised that this decision to resume operations is not binding upon charter and private schools. Those schools should be contacted directly for more information.
We would like to thank our school administrators, custodial, maintenance, and nutrition staffs, as well as the Red Cross, local law enforcement, emergency personnel and all of those who helped provide support and hospitality to those seeking shelter from Hurricane Irma.
Again, public schools and district offices in Polk County are scheduled to reopen on Monday, Sept. 18.
We will communicate this message using the automated telephone calling system for parents and guardians, as well as the district’s website and social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter). Local media will also be notified.
We would like to thank our students, teachers, employees and their families for their patience and understanding over the past several days as we addressed the severe weather conditions of Hurricane Irma and allowed some of our schools to serve as shelters.
To access our School District website, please visit:
To access our social media pages, please visit:
Utility Pole Falls On Sheriff’s Deputy and Paramedic Vehicle During Hurricane Irma
Utility Pole Falls On Sheriff’s Deputy and Paramedic Vehicle During Hurricane Irma
Bartow, Fla. (September 11, 2017) — Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Chris Lynn and Polk County Fire Rescue Paramedic James Tanner Schaill became trapped in a Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol car late Sunday night after a live power pole and electric lines fell on it while they were driving on Lakeland Hills Blvd. near Robson St.
They were travelling from Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center where they had dropped off an elderly patient and were returning to north Lakeland. They were trapped for about two hours late Sunday night/early Monday morning. Lakeland Electric crews responded and were able to disconnect the lines.
They were able to get out of the patrol car at about 1:15 a.m. Monday.
Both have returned to work to assist in hurricane recovery efforts.
Polk County Emergency Management Encourages Citizens to Use Information Hotline
Polk County, Fla. (September 11, 2017) – There is significant wind damage throughout Polk County. Trees, powerlines and other obstructions are in the roadways. Crews are working to identify hazards, report them, and schedule a response. Please be patient and be safe.
If you are aware of any potential hazards, Polk County Emergency Management encourages you to use the Citizen’s Information Line to report these issues. Call the Citizen’s Information Line at 863-401-2234 (locally) or toll-free 866-661-0228. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless your situation is life-threatening.
** Statement from Winter Haven City Manager Mike Herr **
** Statement from Winter Haven City Manager Mike Herr **
The City of Winter Haven has started making assessments to determine the overnight impact from Hurricane Irma.
Crews are beginning to travel each quadrant of the City to ensure all areas are surveyed. Major roadways are passable, however anyone who must travel should take extra precautions and be mindful of debris that could still be laying in the roadways. City crews will be clearing obstructions as quickly as possible. Power restoration is based solely on TECO or Duke Energy and their crews. We do not have the number of customers currently without power.
Citizens are encouraged to stay calm, be smart and stay safe. Please, only travel the roadways if you absolutely have to do so. The recovery phase will begin as soon as it is safe for City workers to complete their mission.
Additonal information on City recovery will be given later this afternoon after crews make their assessments..
Polk County Public Schools, Offices Scheduled to Remain Closed on Tuesday, Sept. 12
Polk County Public Schools, Offices Scheduled to Remain Closed on Tuesday, Sept. 12
Public schools and district offices in Polk County will remain closed on Tuesday, Sept. 12. By order of Gov. Rick Scott, all public K-12 schools were closed Friday, Sept. 8, and will be closed on Monday, Sept. 11.
The decision to close schools and offices was made in collaboration with Polk County Emergency Management personnel. District staff are working with emergency personnel while some of our schools are serving as shelters for those directly impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Again, public schools and district offices in Polk County are scheduled to remain closed on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Please be advised that this decision to close is not binding upon charter and private schools. Those schools should be contacted directly for more information.
Polk County Public Schools will provide updates on the reopening of schools and offices using the automated telephone calling system for parents and guardians, as well as the district’s website and social media (Facebook and Twitter). Local media will also be notified.
To access our School District website, please visit:
To access our social media pages, please visit:
Kathleen High School Added to Open Shelters
Kathleen High School added to open shelters
Bartow, Fla. (September 9, 2017) — Kathleen High School, at 1100 Red Devil Way and Highway 92 in Lakeland, is now open as a public shelter.
Polk County residents who live in manufactured and mobile homes, or in areas of the county that historically are prone to flooding following heavy rains, should evacuate and take advantage of open shelters during Hurricane Irma. The county’s mandatory evacuation includes people who live in manufactured and mobile homes, and areas of the county that are most vulnerable to flooding that include:
· Itchepackesassa Creek, bordered by Deeson Road, the County Line, Ariana Street and Chestnut Street;
· Gator Creek, in extreme northwest Polk bordered by the County Line on the north and west, Marcum Road on the south and Highway 33 on the east;
· Lake Lowery’s northwest side of the lake;
· Saddlebag Lake, and
· River Ranch.
Please remember that you will need photo identification, a sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, medications, and personal hygiene items when coming to the shelter.
Polk County’s Citizen Information Line is available to call with questions at (863) 401-2234.
