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Hurricane Milton: Polk County updates & information

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Updated  October 9, 2024 12:46am EDT
Hurricane Milton
FOX 35 Orlando

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Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast this week. Here is the latest information and updates people in Polk County need to know.

Polk County Evacuations

No evacuations have been ordered.

Polk County Closings

  • Polk County government offices will be closed to the public for non-essential business on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9 & 10.
  • Polk County Schools will be closed Tuesday-Thursday, Oct. 8-10.

Polk County Shelters

Shelters will open at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Polk County.

  • 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

Special needs shelters

Three will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday Oct. 8.

  • 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

Three pet friendly shelters will open at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

  • 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.

Polk County Sandbags

As Milton nears, County sandbag locations have already closed.

Polk County School Closings

  • Polk County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Oct. 8-10.
  • No decision yet on Friday, Oct. 11

Polk County Emergency Resources

County-by-County emergency resources

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