(This story has been updated with new information.)
Editor's note: This story was published Sunday, Oct. 6. Click here for the latest updates from Monday, Oct. 7, on Hurricane Milton.
Polk County Public Schools cancel Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday classes
Polk County Public Schools announced Sunday that schools and offices will be closed Tuesday through Thursday, as Hurricane Milton continued on a track to send it through Polk County.
The school district said county officials had directed it to activate some schools to serve as storm shelters for people evacuating their homes.
Classes will be held as scheduled on Monday, "However, we will be canceling or rescheduling Monday’s after-school programs and sports. For specific information about rescheduled events, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s school directly," the district said.
The Schools of McKeel Academy announced it will also be closed Tuesday through Thursday.
"McKeel Academy of Technology will open as a shelter Monday afternoon," the Lakeland charter school system said. "In accordance with PCPS, all after school activities and athletics across TSMA are cancelled Monday through Thursday. SMA & MAC Cat Care is cancelled Tuesday through Thursday, but will operate as normal Monday, October 7, 2024."
Milton was upgraded to a hurricane early Sunday afternoon. As of 8 p.m., the storm was 290 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico; about 780 miles west-southwest of Tampa, with 85 mph sustained winds. It was moving east about 7 mph. Milton's forecasted track had it making landfall on the barrier islands near Sarasota and Bradenton, then moving across central or southern Polk and exiting the state just to the south of Cape Canaveral.
That track was unchanged from its 11 a.m. track. But earlier Sunday, the track had it coming ashore near St. Pete Beach, crossing north-central Polk and exiting the state north of Cape Canaveral.
Earlier Sunday
Polk County opened sandbag sites Sunday in preparation for Tropical Storm Milton, which is expected to intensify into a major hurricane before impacting Florida's West Coast on Wednesday.
The latest track in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. update moved the path slightly south. Until that point, it was forecast to make landfall near St. Pete Beach, track east-northeast directly through north-central Polk County and exit the state near Cape Canaveral. In the 11 a.m. update, the track moved slightly south, making landfall south of Tampa Bay at the barrier islands near Bradenton and Sarasota, and tracking across central or south Polk County.
Heavy rain is expected on Sunday and Monday, well ahead of Milton, according to theNational Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. Tropical Weather Discussion. Even more rain related to the system is expected as the week begins, bringing the potential for flooding.
As reported by the USA TODAY Network-Florida, a group of newspapers that includes The Ledger, forecasters sayMilton is expected to be a hurricanesmall in size, but there is still uncertainty aboutits intensity and track. The storm could hit Florida as a major hurricane or weaken from a number of factors.
"The intensity forecast has a lot of complexities. First, Milton is a small cyclone, and such systems can both strengthen and weaken very rapidly. Second, while the cyclone is going to be in a favorable environment through about 60 (hours), it will encounter strong shear and dry air entrainment after that time," forecasters said in theirNHC Milton 5 a.m. Discussion.
"Regardless of the details, there is increasing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week. Residents there should closely monitor this system and listen to local officials," forecasters reported.
Polk County was one of 35 states included in a state of emergency declared by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday. And the county under a flood watch that started Sunday at 6 a.m. and continues through 8 a.m. Thursday.
Accuweather called for winds of 50 to 75 mph in Lakeland on Wednesday.
As of the National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. update, Tropical Storm Milton was 310 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico; about 835 miles west-southwest of Tampa. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving northwest at 6 mph.
Polk County sandbag sites open Sunday
Polk County opened seven sandbag sites Sunday, and they'll be open Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road, Mulberry• Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road, Lakeland• Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St., Fort Meade• Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A, Frostproof• Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road, Auburndale• Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St. SW, Dundee• Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee 34759
A maximum of 10 prefilled sandbags will be provided to each household address. Residents must show a driver’s license with a local address.
Sandbag tips
Residents living in flood prone areas are encouraged to sandbag their homes, the county said on its website. It offered techniques to help.
At the area where water can enter a structure:
- If not working on concrete, dig a small ditch just deep enough to go below ground level. The ditch should be back far enough from the entrance to allow room to place optional submersible (sump) pumps into the protected area. The edge of the visqueen should be placed in the ditch as a bottom layer.
- Place the first row of sandbags in ditch, fold visqueen over the top of first row, place a second row of bags on top, fold visqueen back over, place a third row of bags on top, and so on. This creates an “S” pattern with the visqueen.
Depending on the size of the barrier, submersible pumps can be used. The barrier will not completely stop water from entering the protected area; however, by properly placing bags, visqueen and sump pumps, water, in most cases, can be removed quickly.
Polk County Public Schools watching carefully
Polk County Public Schools that, as of Sunday morning, there were no changes planned to the school schedule.
"However, our staff will continue to monitor the weather and work with Polk County Emergency Management personnel to be prepared in case of any impacts to our area," the district said on its website. "Even if Polk is not directly affected, there is always a possibility that our schools will need to serve as shelters for evacuees from other areas."
The district said a decision to close schools involves two key factors:
Sheltering Needs:"Many schools serve as hurricane shelters for our local residents and nearby coastal communities. In addition, we also operate shelters for those with special needs, and even have some sites that provide shelter for pets. If Polk County is not directly impacted by a storm, our schools may still serve as shelters. As a result, schools may need to close ahead of a storm to allow our partner agencies time to staff sites, deliver equipment, and transport those who need medical support."
Transportation:"School buses can only operate when sustained winds are below 35 mph. Schools will be closed if sustained winds exceed this threshold."
The district tells parents and staff to continue following its website and social media accounts for updates.
"In the event we have to close schools or alter our operations, we will send automated calls and emails to all PCPS families. Please make sure your school has your correct contact information on file for SchoolMessenger communications."
(This story will be updated with new information.)
