Florida might not be a stranger to hurricane season, but Hurricane Milton has certainly kept us on our toes. While we aren’t sure exactly what the full extent of the storm’s impact will be overall (follow the current track here), keep these resources in your back pocket for when the air is clear.

For those who need help cleaning up

The City of Lakeland has contracted debris haulers to assist Lakelanders with removing tree and lawn debris following the storm. If you live within city limits, call 863-834-8773 to get on the removal list. Those who live outside of city limits can call Polk County's Hurricane Milton Residential Debris Hotline at 833-843-1920.

For those who need support with their health

Teladoc Health, a partner of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, is offering free medical appointments for non-emergency needs. Call 855-225-5032 to get set up — for life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

Individuals seeking mental or emotional support can utilize one of the following services:

Peace River Center 24/7 hotline — 863-519-3744
Disaster Distress Helpline — 1-800-985-5990, or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746

For those needing clean water

Storms like Hurricane Milton can often make tap water unsafe to drink — check the City of Lakeland's current boil water notices to see if your area was impacted.

Swan Brewing shared that it has emptied its tanks of beer and refilled them with 2,000 gallons of filtered water. It'll be offering it to Lakelanders at no cost as soon as it can safely open.

For small business owners

The US Small Business Administration is offering low-interest recovery loans to businesses whose assets were damaged in the storm. See if your biz qualifies.

Do you know of any other local organizations who are offering support following Hurricane Milton? Let us know.