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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 35 counties, including Polk, as Tropical Storm Milton strengthens and is projected to reach hurricane strength Sunday night with possible landfall along the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.
The state of emergency includes these counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia.
In Polk County, sandbag sites will be open Sunday and Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as the National Hurricane Center forecasts Milton to “strengthen and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of the west coast of Florida next week.”
It is currently located about 250 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico. Hurricane and storm surge watches are expected to be issued for portions of Florida on Sunday.
National Weather Service forecasts are calling for a 40% to 60% chance of rain in Lakeland for the next four days.
Polk sandbag locations are:
- Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road
- Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road
- Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St.
- Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A
- Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road
- Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW
- Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee
A maximum of 10 pre-filled sandbags will be provided to each household address to help prevent water intrusion into homes. Bring a driver license to show your local address.
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