Ledger staff
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(This story was updated with new information.)
Hurricane Milton continued its advance on Florida'sPeninsula Tuesday as avery strong stormwith winds of 165 mph. Evacuations have to be completed on Tuesday as shelters across Florida, including Polk County, were opening.
"Milton poses a extremely serious threat to Florida," the National Hurricane Center said. Emergency managers say if you are undermandatory evacuationit's a life-or-death situation and you must go.
Devastating impacts are forecast for Florida, includinglife-threatening storm surge, flooding rain and damaging windsas the storm is forecast to make landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning as a major hurricane somewhere near Tampa Bay, then sweep east-northeast across the state, through Polk County, and still be at least Category 1 strength when it emerges into the Atlantic near Cape Canaveral.
At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Milton had regained Category 5 strength as it began to separate itself from the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. It was moving east-northeast at 9 mph.
What to expect in Polk County
Meteorologist Matt Anderson with the National Weather Service in Tampa cautioned Polk residents about putting too much emphasis on whether Hurricane Milton is a Category 4 or 5 storm as it approaches the west coast of Florida.
"It will be moving pretty quickly," he said. "The storm will not lose too much intensity, so I wouldn't get caught up too much on its category, but focus on 110 mph and over sustained winds."
The hurricane is anticipated to weaken before it makes landfall in Florida, Anderson said, but he uses that word cautiously, as Milton's windfield will expand, covering a larger area. Polk remains under a hurricane warning.
"We're expecting Milton to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region and track closely along I-4 with strong hurricane-force winds into Polk County and further inland," he said.
Tropical storm force winds will start arriving in Polk as early as 2 p.m. Wednesday, Anderson said, more likely by 7 p.m. Wednesday. Residents needed to be prepared for sustained winds of at least 75 mph, more likely sustained winds associated with a major hurricane of over 110 mph, with higher wind gusts.
The storm will come with heavy rainfall. Anderson said the latest predictions call for 8 to 12 inches of rain across Polk, with locally higher rainfall totaling up to 18 inches.
The specific track of the storm is likely to change a little, or wobble slightly, Anderson said, as it makes landfall. The eyewall of the storm, where the strongest winds are, is expected to pass through Polk as it measures between 40 to 60 miles wide.
"If we adjust the track 20 miles south, Polk is still in the eyewall. If we adjust it 20 miles north, you're still in the eyewall," he said.
Polk County hasn't seen a storm of this significant magnitude in a while, Anderson said. He said a fair comparison might be Hurricane Irma in 2017 or the storm season of 2004.
There will be continued risks post-storm as Anderson said the Peace River in Bartow is anticipated to reach moderate flood stage as of Saturday afternoon.
"Due to the terrain around here, the rivers are slower to respond to rainfall," he said. "The majority of the rainfall will be Wednesday night going into Thursday, but the rivers are expected to rise throughout the week into the weekend hitting flood stage on Saturday."
Swan Brewing stockpiles drinking water for post-storm - 4:45 p.m
Swan Brewing announced via its Facebook page that its crew has been busy Tuesday cleaning tanks in order to store 2,000 gallons of fresh drinking water for post-storm use. The Lakeland brewery remains open until 9 p.m. Tuesday.
"As soon as it’s safe to do so, just bring your gallon jugs, 5 gallon buckets... whatever and we will fill it right out of the tanks," reads its Facebook post.
Swan Brewing said that Grove Roots Brewing Co. in Winter Haven is doing the same, though this information could not be immediately confirmed.
Lakeland closes all facilities, trash pickup suspended till Friday
The City of Lakeland announced all city offices and facilities will be closed until Friday in preparation for Hurricane Milton. All residential and commercial trash pickup is suspended on Thursday and Friday to allow the city's crews to focus on the storm's recovery efforts.
Lakeland has opened up the Iowa Street garage, adjacent to Lakeland Electric at 501 E. Lemon St., and Main Street Garage, 314 E. Main St., after 5 p.m Tuesday for residents to park their vehicles. Residents are asked to park on Level 2 or higher so city employees working through the storm can park their vehicles on the ground level.
RP Funding Center postpones events - 4 p.m
All RP Funding Center events are postponed until further notice, the city announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Polk County public schools closed through Friday
Polk County Public Schools and district offices will be closed through Friday.
The district had previously announced plans to close schools from Tuesday through Thursday. As of Tuesday afternoon, no decision had been made about resuming classes on Monday, the district said in a statement on its website.
"Current forecasts show this storm is expected to begin bringing significant weather to our community tomorrow, which could last into Thursday," the district said in a Tuesday afternoon email. "At this time, we anticipate our maintenance crews may not be able to begin inspecting our schools for potential damage or power outages until late Thursday. Our crews will need to continue working into Friday to inspect our more than 120 schools as well as offices and other work locations."
Some schools are being used as emergency shelters in anticipation of Hurricane Milton.
"In addition, some of our schools may need to continue serving as shelters on Friday," the email said. "We are expecting residents from Polk County as well as surrounding areas to use our designated school shelters in the coming days."
Special needs shelter transports
Tom Phillips, executive director of Citrus Connection, said Tuesday afternoon that special needs residents with reservations to go to shelters need to go at their reserved times, or they risk the possibility that no other times will be available.
Due to the hurricane slowing down its approach, some special needs residents have decided not to go at their scheduled times, he said.
In all, Citrus Connection had 263 reservations requested, but 65 were cancelled at the door after the vehicle had already arrived, Phillips said. There were also 27 advanced cancellations.
On Tuesday, Citrus Connection received another 42 requests for transport to special needs shelters.
Polk trash collection schedule changes
Due to the forecasted weather, there will be no curbside collection for Polk County Solid Waste customers, within unincorporated areas on Thursday, the county said.
Thursday’s curbside collection customers will be serviced the following Thursday (Oct. 17). Residential curbside collection will resume on Friday, the county said in a press release.
This schedule applies to Polk County Solid Waste customers in unincorporated Polk., the county said.
On Wednesday, the North Central Landfill will close at 3 p.m. and the North Central Transfer Station will close at 1 p.m. Weather permitting, the North Central Landfill and North Central Transfer Station will reopen at 2 p.m., Thursday.
Residents self-hauling waste to the landfill or transfer station, should be prepared to encounter delays.
Residents should keep an eye on social media andhttps://www.polk-county.net/services/polk-county-solid-waste/for updates. Residents can also sign up for text alerts regarding waste updates by texting “HELLO” TO (888) 299-POLK (7655).
Clerk of Courts office extends closure - 2:54 p.m.
The closure of Polk County Clerk of Courts offices will continue through Friday. The office had announced Monday that operations would cease for Wednesday and Thursday.
All jurors summoned for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday should not report, the office announced. All canceled court hearings will be rescheduled, and parties will receive notices with the new court dates. Full details about court cases and scheduled hearings can be found at polkcountyclerk.net.
Traffic tickets and court fines may be paid online. Deadlines will be extended for those who cannot pay online.
Offices are expected to reopen on Monday, depending on the impacts of Hurricane Milton.
Polk County closes parks, environmental lands - 2:08 p.m.
Polk County announced that it would close parks and facilities and halt operations at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Until further notice, the closure applies to all Polk County parks and boat ramps, youth and adult league activities, community resource centers, Bone Valley ATV Park, Saddle Creek Gun Range and all stormwater and environmental lands sites. The last category includes Circle B Bar Reserve.
All programs and events at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center are canceled through the weekend and will resume after Circle B Bar Reserve reopens, the county announced. Polk County campgrounds closed at noon Tuesday and will remain closed until further notice.
The Polk County History Center will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
For more information, call the Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division at 863-534-7377.
Watson Clinic closes all offices - 12:45 p.m.
All Watson Clinic locations will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, the medical network announced Tuesday. Every effort will be made to reschedule patient appointments that were to have taken place on these dates, Watson C;inic said.
Watson Clinic anticipates reopening on Friday, depending on the condition of facilities and access to power. Consult the website atwww.WatsonClinic.com/Weather or call the patient information line at 863-680-7529.
Peace River flooding expected -- 11:55 a.m.
As of Tuesday, the Peace River at State Road 60 in Bartow is under a flood warning issued by the National Weather Service. The forecasted water level of 9.3 feet is predicted by 8 p.m. Saturday. The NWS said at this level moderate flooding can be expected.
As preparations for Hurricane Milton were underway Tuesday, the Peace River was still listed at a water level of 6.94 feet, which is more than a foot below flood stage. Minor flooding begins at 8 feet and moderate flooding at 9.2. So far, the NWS is not predicting a major flood status, which would mean water levels have reached 10 feet or higher.
Compared with flooding expected in Polk County, the predicted outlook for communities downstream is much more severe.
In Zolfo Springs, the Weather Service predicted Peace River water levels will peak at 22 feet — major flood stage — by 2 p.m. Friday.
Winter Haven extends hours at sandbag sites - 11:45 a.m.
The City of Winter Haven has extended hours at its sandbag filling site through 4 p.m. Tuesday at Ruben Williams Sports Complex, 1751 7th St. NE. It's self-service, residents should bring a government-issued ID to show a Winter haven address are encouraged to bring their own shovels. The city will provide sand and sand pages.
Citizens are welcome to park all personal vehicles in Winter Haven's downtown parking garage without fear of being ticketed or towered during the storm. The city will not take any liability for storm-related damages. Residents are instructed not to move any cones.
Winter Haven's city offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, with expectation to resume normal service on Friday.
Keiser University closes Lakeland campus - 11:39 a.m.
Keiser University will close its Lakeland campus Tuesday through Thursday, the network of schools announced Tuesday morning. Keiser is also closing its campus in Tampa.
Additional announcements will be made as necessary.
Polk Emergency Management 10 a.m. update
“Today is the day to finish your preparations,” said Polk County’s Emergency Management Director Paul Womble in a 10 a.m. update from the Emergency Operations Center in Bartow.
He also urged residents to remain patient as they experience long lines of traffic at stores, gas stations and along Interstate 4.
Due to hazards outside such as downed powerlines, potential floodwaters and fallen trees, he added, “Please stay home after the storm has passed.”
Publix stores to close 5 p.m. Tuesday -- 9:59 a.m.
All Publix Super Markets Inc. Locations in Polk County have modified hours, according to the Publix website. Of 1,380 stores across eight states, the grocer reported 495 with modified hours.
The Bartow location will close at 5 p.m., itscustomer service desk said. At the Lakeland Southgate Shopping Center, they reported the same hours with a target of opening up again by 9 a.m. Thursday depending on the trajectory of the storm.
Also they said if the store is closed, the pharmacy and liquor stores will also be closed.
The Publix website shows virtually every Publix store in the cone of uncertainty is on modified hours.
To check store hours, residents can go to: https://www.publix.com/pages/publix-storm-basics/publix-store-status
No plans for curfew, for now
In a check with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, there have not been any plans for a curfew in the county, they said. But they added, that is the decision of the county manager and the County Commission.
Talbot House opens doors to all individuals without home - 11 a.m.
Talbot House Ministries is prepared and ready to open its doors to all unsheltered individuals, according to Executive Director Maria Cruz. The nonprofit will open up its overflow spaces to extend its capacity ahead of Hurricane Milton.
"Talbot House won't turn away any individual nor homeless family during the emergency," Cruz wrote in an email.
Talbot House's outreach workers visited several homeless encampments on Monday in anticipation of Milton's arrival and brought many of those individuals into safe shelter. The nonprofit has a kitchen that is stocked and ready to serve meals to the community, Cruz said.
Polk Commission Chair offers advice - 10:40 a.m.
County Commision Chairman Bill Braswell suffered severe property damage to his home in during the 2004 hurricanes, so he took to Facebook late-Monday to offer additional advice.
Here is an edited summary of his advice:
If you have a whole house generator, check your motor oil level. If it gets low, generators automatically shut down until more oil is added, he said
“Also, for those with a home generator. In 2004 the generator I had then actually showed how many watts were being used in my house. I noticed when the air conditioning came on it spiked but sometimes it would spike even higher.
“After investigating I realized my water heater spikes were as high or higher than my a/c," he said. “After that I kept the water heater off most of the time. I also found additional items to offload. Why does this matter? The heavier the load the more fuel you burn. Fuel delivery, especially propane, can have several days waits.”
Another fuel saving tip: "If you own a motorhome or camper, consider sleeping there at night. Your motorhome generator will use a fraction of fuel your whole house generator will use. If you don’t have a built-in generator, consider an inverter generator from somewhere like Harbor Freight. I have a 30-amp inverter generator from there and it is super quiet and sips fuel.
"If you have city or county sewer and you live near a lift station beware. If the lift station pump fails due to power outage the holding tank can become overwhelmed by your neighborhood waste. The lowest point on that system will be where the crap backs up to.
"It can free flow back into your home via the toilet, shower drain, or a sink. Super disgusting. If you find yourself in this situation have a few sandbags handy. Layout a plastic garbage bag in your toilet or over the drain. Then place a partially filled sandbag in the toilet or on the drain to seal out the sewage. Do the same with shower and tub drains. ... Until the lift station works you are stuck with finding a toilet somewhere other than your house.
"Stick a coffee cup with water in your freezer. After its frozen, place a penny on top. You can determine if your freezer has risen above freezing if the penny sinks. If its water, its been above freezing for an undetermined time. If it looks icy but penny has sank, your food is probably still ok.
If you have a lot of trees around you they may fall and block your ability to drive out from your home. Consider parking a vehicle outside the tree fall zone. A distance you can walk to, just in case.
Polk Emergency Management update - 10:40 a.m.
Emergency Management Director forPolk County Paul Womble said the county is preparing for tropical storm impacts by Wednesday morning and hurricane type impacts by Wednesday afternoon.
Residents can expect trees to be knocked down and power outages as trees fall on power lines, he said. Roads will also be blocked by fallen trees.
Weather conditions are expected to improve by early Thursday with the sky becoming calmer by noon, Womble said.
He also expects localized flooding if the projected 10 inches of rain falls in low lying areas. He urged residents to avoid walking or driving through flooded areas.
Sandbag sites are scheduled to close at noon Tuesday, Womble said.
Special needs shelters for those needing electricity to maintain their wellbeing opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Citrus Connection is transporting preregistered residents to one of the three such shelters.
Also at noon Tuesday, the 16 additional shelters are set to open with three of them being pet friendly facilities. The county maintains a list of shelters on its website.
See the list of shelters below.
Polk County trash collection - 10:30 a.m.
Regarding trash collection in unincorporated areas, Polk County Solid Waste Division Director Dale Henderson said, “Based upon thecurrent forecast, we are planning normal collection operations tomorrow (Wednesday).
“We have an EOC briefing at noon (Tuesday) and will formulate a schedule for Thursday based upon information provided byEmergency Management at that time,” he said.
“If any interruptions in service are anticipated, that will be communicated as soon as possible,” Henderson said.
Lakeland Electric anticipates 'serious' impact, triples crews - 10:23 a.m.
Lakeland Electric is anticipating Hurricane Milton to have "serious impacts" with widespread power outages across the region.
LE spokesperson Cathryn Lacy said the municipal utility has about 230 field crews coming in over the next day, consisting of a mix of linemen, tree trimmers and damage assessors in anticipation of Milton's damage. These crews are being put up at Tigertown, the spring training facilities of the Detroit Tigers.
That's roughly triple Lakeland Electric's field crews of about 140 people, Lacy said. The support crews have come in from unaffected areas of Florida, Louisiana and Oklahoma. These crews can be shifted to support other municipal electric utilities if Lakeland is not heavily impacted, according to Lacy, or more personnel quickly requested as a member of Florida Municipal Power Association.
Lakeland Electric customers have Smart Meters, which will automatically report power outages as they occur to the utility company. Residents are asked to treat all down power lines as if they are live and dangerous, and keep a safe distance.
"There is no way to tell if a line is energized just by looking at it," Lacy warned.
The utility is asking all customers to be safe when utilizing generators, make sure its set up in a well ventilated areas and property installed. Lacy said every year there's a death in the area due to someone misuse of a generator.
Lakeland Linder to close at midnight - 10 a.m.
Lakeland Linder International Airport will be closing down its air traffic control tower and ceasing operations officially as of midnight, according to Airport Director Kris Hallstrand.
Amazon is expected to get its last cargo planes out midday Tuesday, Hallstrand said, before ceasing all flights.
NOAA's Hurricane Hunters, based out of Lakeland Linder, are expecting to wrap up their current missions before relocating all their plans and personnel out of Milton's path today, Hallstrand said.
The airport will need to complete a full storm damage assessment to its tower, buildings, runways and lights before being allowed to reopen for business. Hallstrand said she hopes to have the airport operating again by noon on Thursday.
Polk County is opening several shelters Tuesday -- 8 a.m.
The following public shelters open at noon:
- 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 open at noon on Tuesday:
- 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 opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday for those residents with special or medical needs. County officials warn they do not provide the level of care found in a medical facility.
These shelters are 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
The county's Citizens Information line is 863-298-7500 or toll-free 866-661-0228. Information is also available on PGTV (Spectrum 644, Comcast 5 or Frontier 20). Check the county website atwww.polk-county.net. You may also obtain further emergency information atwww.facebook.com/polkcountyemandwww.twitter.com/polkemergency.
