April 26, 2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

87º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. | Sunset 7:59 p.m.

LAL_High Tower Roofing_Weather Sponsorship_7.1.2023-6.30.2025

Preparing for hurricane season in Lakeland

Palm trees blowing in hard wind in the foreground, with a dark cloudy sky and the Summit Building in downtown Lakeland in the background.

Stay safe and stay connected. | Photo by LALtoday

It’s almost that time of year. Hurricane season officially begins on Saturday, June 1 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 30 — but it’s never too early to start preparations.

Experts are predicting an above-average hurricane season in 2024. The 2023 season was also predicted to be above average, and it ranked No. 4 among seasons with the most named storms.

To help Lakelanders prepare for the upcoming season, we’ve rounded up everything you can do to be hurricane-ready.

Stay informed

Sign up for Polk County’s emergency notifications on Alert Polk to get important weather updates during a hurricane watch (conditions possible within 48 hours) or a hurricane warning (conditions expected within 48 hours). You can also check the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center for updates or download one of these apps to track weather.

Have a hurricane kit

You know the essentials: A first-aid kit, flashlights, medications, et cetera. For a comprehensive list, check out our hurricane kit must-haves.

The American Red Cross suggests having one gallon of water per person, per day, as well as non-perishables.

A map showing the locations of hurricane shelters in Polk County with information about how to use them. — Just like last season, there are 47 potential public hurricane shelters available around Polk County.
|
Map courtesy of Polk County Tourism

Have an evacuation plan

According to Polk County Emergency Management, you should stay home as long as it’s safe. However, it’s smart to have a plan B. If you need to leave your house, stay with someone who has a safe space or relocate to a hotel or out of the area 48-72 hours before the storm is expected to hit.

Polk County also has 47 potential public shelters (see the most recent map above), 17 of which are in Lakeland. Three of the shelters are identified as special needs shelters — if you may need a special needs shelter, register here. Another three shelters are pet-friendly.

How to prep your home

Events

Friday, April 26

Exploration Station: Earth Day | Friday, April 26 | 2-4 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about conservation and the Great Global cleanup with Toby’s Water Warriors.
The Party Never Ends | Friday, April 26-Saturday, April 27 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $0-$20 | Dance the night away at this two-night party with a DJ show.
Lakeland Book Crawl | Friday, April 26 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Locations vary | Price of purchase | Find deals at local independent booksellers this week — today’s final stop is Little Bus Books.

Saturday, April 27

Lakeland Drive Electric Earth Day | Saturday, April 27 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Check out electric vehicles and ask owners questions about driving an EV.
National Prescription Take Back Day | Saturday, April 27 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lakeland Police Department, 219 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free | Safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Aquafest | Saturday, April 27 | 12-2 p.m. | Simpson Park Swimming Pool, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Get an evaluation to determine the best swim lessons for your child at this fun family event.
A Tribute To Heart | Saturday, April 27 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $10-$175 | Don’t be “Alone” tonight — Wild Child will perform all of Heart’s biggest hits.

Sunday, April 28

Classic Rock Legacy Duo | Sunday, April 28 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Dan Pepin Duo will take the Swan Stage while new food truck The Way of the Crust serves pizza.
Open Studio | Sunday, April 28 | 4-6 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $37-$60 | Let your creativity shine when you choose your own painting and surface.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

▼SPONSORED▼

Biz

If you don’t have an assistant, you’re the assistant

a woman holds a cell phone to her ear while holding a mug in the other hand; a table with a laptop and plate is in front of her

Win back time in your schedule when you become an elite delegator. | Photo via Pexels

The secret of the most successful leaders and parents? They ask for help and delegate tasks like:

Managing households like it is a hotel
Sending personalized birthday text messages to 2,000 people per year
Creating a CRM with 25,000 contacts, with 100+ fields
Executing refunds and returns, putting money back into your account
Waiting on customer service calls
And more

Athena trains elite executive assistants and provides world-class delegation coaching to help you achieve more — and do less.

Learn how to get a $1,500 credit

News Notes

Civic

Polk officials presented the State of the County address yesterday, representing local government, education, and healthcare. One of the top themes was population growth, including the growing need for housing. Watch the recap. (Bay News 9)

Biz

Airport officials say that the recently closed WACO Kitchen has 10 days to reopen after it violated its contract with the city. If the restaurant does not resume service, LAL will seek a new vendor for the space. (LkldNow)

Arts

Harrison School for the Arts junior Marina Barrientos-Allende won the local 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Her painting of a homeless veteran will be displayed in the US Capitol for a year, alongside other winning artwork from around the nation. (LkldNow)

Number

17. That’s the age of Joshua Ostergaard, Southeastern University’s youngest graduate walking the stage tonight. He may even be the youngest ever to graduate from the school. Ostergaard plans to earn his MBA from SEU next before going to law school. (The Ledger)

Edu

Florida Southern’s Roberts Academy will soon add a first grade program, expanding its offerings for students with dyslexia. Learn more about the school at an open house on Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m.

Community

PCPS is requesting feedback on its school-based mental health support from parents and guardians. Take the anonymous survey to impact the services offered across the district.

History

Learn about the history of immigration at Ellis Island in the next installment of the Polk County History Center’s Genealogy Speaker Series. “Ellis Island: If Walls Could Talk” will take place on Zoom tomorrow, April 27 at 10 a.m. with speaker Tamara Hallo.

Asked

Do you remember a store in the Shoppes at Hallam plaza that offered all things neon + nostalgia? One of our followers reached out for help identifying the bygone shop of the 1980s. If you know, fill us in — we’ll send you a virtual Lisa Frank sticker.

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Watch

For the first time ever, Hulu Live TV is offering a three day free trial. Get 33 of the top 35 cable channels, Hulu on demand, Disney+, and ESPN+.*

Asked

📣 Give a small biz a shout out

An exterior view of small businesses on North Kentucky Avenue, including Scout & Tag, with seating and plants outside.

North Kentucky Avenue is a small shop hotspot. | Photo by @patriotcoffeeroasters

One of our favorite things about Lakeland is how much it supports its small businesses. With National Small Business Week taking place Sunday, April 28-Saturday, May 4, we’re looking to you to help us celebrate the bizzes you love most.

How can you show your appreciation? It’s easy: Just fill out our 60-second survey telling us your favorite small business and what makes it special.

Start thinking of those locally owned eateries, top spots for retail therapy, and service providers who go above + beyond. We’ll feature some of your shout outs during National Small Business Week, so keep ‘em coming.

Shout outs this way

The Buy

A women’s pastel, oversized button-down — because you can’t go wrong in it for spring. Bonus: This one’s 100% cotton.

Share LALtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_15}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Did our article on Strollo’s history have you feeling nostalgic? Get a taste of local history by buying the family’s tomato sauce. We saw it available at Mitchell’s Coffee House this week, and readers say it’s also available at the Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware in the Southgate Plaza.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP