Hurricane Idalia is predicted to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Forecasters expect it to become a Category 3 hurricane, and Polk County has been placed under a state of emergency. Stay up to date with these local, statewide, and national resources.
Storm tracking
Track the storm’s progress through the National Hurricane Center, which provides top news each day, hurricane position updates, and satellite imagery. USA Today also has a storm tracker with an interactive map.
Download the FEMA app to get real-time weather alerts, send notifications to friends + family, and locate emergency shelters.
Wondering what it all means? Use our guide to spaghetti models and hurricane categories.
Utilities
Lakeland may not be in the direct path of the storm, but a Category 3 hurricane can bring wind speeds of up to 129 mph. That could mean debris, damage, and downed power lines.
Check Lakeland Electric’s power outage map and report outages or downed lines by calling the automated number at (863) 834-4248. Hurricanes can make tap water unsafe to drink, so keep an eye on the City of Lakeland’s current boil water notices.
Schools
Polk County Public Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 30-Thursday, Aug. 31. Some schools will be used as shelters. Visit PCPS’ storm information site or follow the district’s social media accounts for the most recent updates on closures and reopenings.
Parents can get direct communication from their child’s school by signing up for SchoolMessenger. Opt in for automated messages about future emergency situations.
Important links
- City of Lakeland Emergency Management
- Polk County Emergency Management
- Alert Polk
- Lakeland Electric