As our community recovers from Hurricane Ian, see the following storm-related updates from our office. You’ll find extension program and event updates, storm prep and recovery resources, and local resources here.

Stay tuned to your local news channels and Polk County Emergency Management for updates.

This page was last updated: Thursday, October 13 at 11:30 a.m.

Office Hours:

The Extension office and all Polk County government offices reopened to the public on Monday, October 3.

Meeting rooms located in the main building have returned to normal use. The Stuart Center is where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center is staged, effective Monday, October 10. It will not be available for user groups while occupied by FEMA. Also, the Extension office is  not able to field FEMA-related calls. See more information about FEMA below under “Resources.”

Events and Programming:

• 4-H Youth Development: programs and events have resumed as normal
• Small Farms: Small farms operations and producers can contact Luis for information on damage assessments after the storm has passed. Please see his contact information, here: Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Extension Program
• Gardening and Landscaping: As of Monday, October 3, all gardening classes and events for the week of October 3-8, 2022, have been canceled or postponed. This includes the Munch and Learn workshop on native plants at Se7en Wetlands on Wednesday, Oct. 5 (postponed), the workshop on lawns at Mackay Gardens on Thursday, Oct.6 (canceled), and the Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 8 (postponed). For more information on our classes, workshops, and events please visit polkgardening.eventbrite.com.  All gardening and landscaping classes scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, through Thursday, September 29, 2022, have been canceled. Please check polkgardening.eventbrite.com for class and workshop updates.
• Nutrition and Healthy Living: Classes scheduled for Thursday, September 29, at the Haley Center have been rescheduled for October 5, 2022.
• Livestock and Forages: Polk County producers, please check for an email from Bridget.
• Natural Resources and Conservation: programs and events have resumed as normal
• Pesticide Applicator Training: Pesticide Applicator exams scheduled for Monday, October 3 were canceled. If the date is scheduled for later in October, test takers will be notified.

Resources

After the Storm:

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has staged a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the W.H. Stuart Center, which is next to the main extension office building
  • FEMA and state services available at the DRC include FEMA applicant services, SBA, FEMA Hazard Mitigation, Housing, and FL Department of Children and Families. In addition to in-person walk-ins, you may also call FEMA at 800-621-3362, apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or use the FEMA mobile app available at Google Play or the App Store.
  • Follow local news media, the Polk County Government website at www.polk-county.net, and Polk County Government on social media for updated information on storm recovery.
• Hurricane Recovery Round-Up – Includes information on finding a certified arborist for tree care, replacing documents, and filing insurance claims.
  • Hurricane Recovery: Wind-Resistant Trees for Home, Business, and Park Landscaping
  • Do you need tree work? Find a certified arborist.
  • Post-Hurricane Wildlife Encounters – Wildlife may be disoriented or stressed; use caution when approaching. This blog post discusses different wildlife reactions to hurricanes and information on when to call FWC.
• Private Well Resources
  • What should I do if my well flooded?
  • How To Effectively Disinfect A Private Drinking Well
  • Polk County Health Department: Water Toxics Program
    This program is responsible for coordinating groundwater sampling for chemical contamination of public and private drinking water supplies, such as agricultural chemicals or pesticides. Upon citizen request, program staff can collect well water for testing, provide information to owners on potential health effects and provide assistance in obtaining treatment or another source of water when necessary.
    Website: https://polk.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/water-programs/water-toxics/index.html
    Phone: (863) 519-8330
    Email: polkcommunications@flhealth.gov

Disaster Debris Pick-up:

• Polk County storm debris will be managed by a third-party contractor authorized by FEMA. See below for more information:
  • “Polk County must adhere to FEMA guidelines for collecting hurricane debris. On first pass through neighborhoods, debris collection haulers will only pick up limbs, tree trunks, etc. that are stacked at the curb. They will pick up bagged debris on the second pass. Keep bagged leaves, moss, and twigs away from the limb pile. Do NOT place the bags directly in front or behind the limb pile, as they get in the way of the claws picking up the stacks. Brown paper leave bags are preferred to plastic. Plastic bags are subjected to being opened and inspected to ensure that it is yard waste and not household garbage. This only slows the collection process for everyone.For more information, call (800) 375-0844.”
    – Polk County Emergency Management, link: https://www.polk-county.net
  • “A medida que avanza con la limpieza del huracán Ian, tenga en cuenta que los escombros de construcción NO DEBEN MEZCLARSE CON los desechos del patio y la vegetación de huracán.Los escombros del huracán serán recolectados por un proveedor contratado, no por su proveedor de servicios normal. Si se mezclan, es posible que sus desechos no se recojan.Llame a nuestra línea directa de escombros del huracán Ian al (800) 375-0844.Gracias por ayudar al Condado de Polk a hacer que esta tarea desalentadora sea un poco más ágil y fácil.”
    – Polk County Emergency Management, link: https://www.polk-county.net

(Past Update) Storm Preparation:

• Polk County Emergency Management: https://www.polk-county.net/emergency-management
  • Polk County Emergency Homepage: https://www.polk-county.net/
  • Polk County Emergency Management on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polkcountyem 
  • AlertPolk signup: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736724723#/overview
  • Sandbag Fill Stations are closed as of Tuesday, Sep. 27 at 11:30 a.m.
  • Hurricane Shelter Information: https://www.polk-county.net/emergency-management/find-a-shelter
• UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation and Recovery Handbook
• Hurricane Prep: Securing Your Boat
• Preparing Your Landscape for Hurricane Season
  • NOTE: If a storm is forecast for our area, it is generally too late to make large pruning and tree removal decisions.
    Please WAIT to make major cuts and pruning until AFTER the storm, unless the tree company or arborist you hire is taking the downed debris with them. If you have large dead limbs that are already dangerous, consider cutting and storing them in a garage or other protected area.
    City and County Crews are unlikely to make extra collection rounds to collect landscaping debris as they help prepare the city or county for the upcoming storm. Unsecured debris can become dangerous during a high-wind storm.
• Hurricane Prep – Sources of Water for Your Family – What to do if the grocery stores are out of bottled water.

1