Polk County is in the direct path of Hurricane Milton as it moves east toward Florida from the Gulf of Mexico. It’s already strengthened into a Category 5, and forecasters expect it to bring heavy wind + rain before making landfall by Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Here's what to know as you prepare for Milton:

Government updates

A state of emergency was declared for 51 counties, including Polk. The county is also under a hurricane warning until further notice.
Polk County government offices will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10. The Emergency Management Division's Citizen’s Information Line will remain open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to answer storm-related questions at 863-298-7500.
City of Lakeland offices will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10. The Main Street + Iowa Street public parking garages will be open for free parking starting Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. — park at levels two and higher.

Closures + cancellations

Polk County Public Schools will be open on Monday, Oct. 7, but closed Tuesday, Oct. 8-Friday, Oct. 11. All scheduled sports events will be postponed.
The City of Lakeland will have regular solid waste curbside pickup on Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 8, but advises to not leave additional yard waste at the curb until after the storm passes. Garbage and recycling services will be suspended on Thursday, Oct. 10 and Friday, Oct. 11 to help with storm cleanup.
Citrus Connection services, including The Squeeze, will be suspended until further notice starting Tuesday, Oct. 8 as it is being used to transport evacuees to shelters.
Polk County parks + natural resources will close from Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. until further notice.

Shelters + sandbags

The City of Lakeland will open a sandbag site from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Shelters will open on Tuesday, Oct. 8 — due to high winds, the county urges those in mobile homes + RVs to evacuate. Special needs shelters will open at 7 a.m., while public and pet-friendly shelters will open at 12 p.m.

Prepare for the storm with our guide to local resources, home prep, and evacuation plans.