As Idalia leaves our area, 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: Wednesday, August 30 at 4:15 PM and will not be updated again.
Office Hours:
At this time, our office and meeting spaces are open as usual. This is subject to change, please check back for updates.
- The Master Gardener Plant Clinic is closed to in-person visits on Wednesday, August 30, but can accept inquiries via email and voicemail. Phone: (863) 519-1057; email: polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu
Polk County Public Schools has announced that schools and district offices will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30, and Thursday, Aug. 31. After-school activities on Tuesday, August 29, have been canceled. Find more information on Polk County Schools closures, here: https://polkschoolsfl.com/category/storminformation/
After the Storm Recovery Resources:
- 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.
- Keeping It Fresh: How Long Is Food Still Good After A Power Outage?
- 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
- UF IFAS Disaster Handbook: https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/
Past updates to the blog are included, below. This information may not be complete and may be out-dated. Please check with your local municipality if you have need of these resources and need the most-up to date information!
Pre-Storm Resources
Emergency Shelters
For information on emergency shelters, visit the Polk County website at: https://www.polk-county.net/emergency-management/find-a-shelter
Please do not proceed to any shelter until you have confirmed that it is open and operating.
Storm Preparation:
- Polk County Emergency Management: https://www.polk-county.net/emergency-management
- Polk County’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/polkcountygovfl
- Polk County Emergency Management on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polkcountyem
- Polk County Hurricane Preparedness Resources: https://www.polk-county.net/hurricane-preparedness
- Polk County Government’s Webpage: https://www.polk-county.net/
- AlertPolk signup: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736724723#/overview
- Hurricane Shelter Information: https://www.polk-county.net/emergency-management/find-a-shelter
- Pre-register for the Special Needs Shelter, here: https://www.polk-county.net/emergency-management/special-needs
- UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation and Recovery Handbook: Information from UF/IFAS on food safety, safe water storage, and preparing your home, business, farm, or family for natural disasters. Link: https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/
- Hurricane Prep: Securing Your Boat
- Hurricane Prep – Sources of Water for Your Family – What to do if the grocery stores are out of bottled water.
- Preparing Your Landscape for Hurricane Season
- NOTE: If a storm is forecast for our area, it is 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.
- NOTE: If a storm is forecast for our area, it is too late to make large pruning and tree removal decisions.
Citizens Information Phone Line:
- (863) 401-2234
- Toll Free (866) 661-0228
Radio Broadcasts:
- Radio Primary Emergency Broadcast System Stations:
WONN 1230 AM and 107.1 FM
WPCV 97.5 FM - En Español:
WIPC (Lake Wales) 1280AM
WQXM (Bartow) 1460AM and 99.9FM
WTWB (Auburndale) 1570AM and 92.7FM
Sandbag Sites:
Polk County is making sandbags available throughout the county at Roadway Maintenance Units.
- Polk County has announced pre-filled sandbag stations:
- Residents will be required to show proof of residency (Driver’s License, ID card, etc) and can collect up to 10 sandbags per residence. Sandbags are pre-filled and ready for pickup.
- Locations below will be open Monday from 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, August 29, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m
- Mulberry – 900 NE 5th St., Mulberry, (863) 519-4734
- Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland (863) 815-6701
- Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade (863) 285-6588
- Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof (863) 635-7879
- Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale (863) 965-5524
- Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee, (863) 421-3367
- Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegany Road, Kissimmee 34759
Below, find sandbag site announcements from various municipalities in Polk. Please check with your local municipality for the latest updates.
- Auburndale has announced self-serve sandbag sites:
- Monday: Open until 8PM; Tuesday: Open 9:00 AM – close
- Auburndale Fire Department at 100 Ariana Avenue
- 10 bag maximum, self-serve
- Davenport has announced self-serve sandbag sites:
- Monday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Webbs Pharmacy at 2200 South Blvd W, Davenport (behind the pharmacy)
- Lewis W. Matthews Memorial Sports Complex, 2220 East Palm Street.
- A maximum of 10 sandbags per household. Bag supply is limited and first come first serve.
- Please bring your own shovel to expedite the process.
- Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/mydavenportfl/posts/pfbid0HmQ7MNEmd84G5Cy53TAUVvHgXm3kKZFrYumnPNPKmBcWWLsuSC29LoYQNwpb1Y1Bl
- Monday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Haines City has announced self-serve sandbag sites:
- Monday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Larry Parish Baseball Complex, 2401 E Johnson Ave
- Haines City Public Works at 300 N 5th Street.
- A maximum of 10 sandbags per household. Bag supply is limited and first come first serve.
- Please bring your own shovel to expedite the process.
- Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/hainescity/posts/pfbid02xUsEHxocZMZQDQSY6uyggdnhoEPqmNeW1MM4foJzU5HqswPxtqgg31jpNVte7xcdl
- Monday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Lake Alfred has announced a sandbag distribution site:
- 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Monday and Tuesday.
- behind the tennis courts on E. Pomelo Street
- across the street from the public library on Seminole Avenue.
- 10 Bag Limit
- For more information, please call the Public Works Department at (863) 298-5458.
- 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Monday and Tuesday.
- Lake Wales has announced a sandbag distribution process:
- Step #1: Stop by Lake Wales Fire Department to pick up 10 free empty sandbags. (253 W. Central Ave, Lake Wales, FL 33853)
- Step #2: Head to the sand pile at Lake Wailes Park to fill your sandbags. (Main entrance of Lake Wailes Park)
- You must bring your own shovel. First come, first serve basis.
- Winter Haven has announced self-serve sandbag sites:
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Tuesday: 8:00 AM – Close
- Lake Maude Recreation Park: 1751 7th St. NE, Winter Haven, 33881 – 7th Street Entrance
- Residents will be required to show proof of Winter Haven address (Driver’s License will be checked)
- Learn more here: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/storm/
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