DeSantis declares a state of emergency in Polk and 34 other counties as the storm intensifies

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 35 counties, including Polk, as Tropical Storm Milton strengthens and is expected to reach hurricane strength Sunday evening and possibly make landfall along Florida’s west coast on Wednesday.

The state of emergency includes the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe , Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia.

In Polk County, sandbag sites will be open Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as the National Hurricane Center predicts Milton will “increase and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of Florida’s west coast next week.”

It is currently located approximately 250 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico. Hurricane and storm surge warnings are expected to be issued for parts of Florida on Sunday.

National Weather Service forecasts put a 40% to 60% chance of rain in Lakeland over the next four days.

Locations for Polk sandbags include:

• Mulberry/South Lakeland – Loyce E. Harpe Park, 500 W. Carter Road
• Lakeland – 8970 N. Campbell Road
• Fort Meade – 1061 NE 9th St.
• Frostproof – 350 County Road 630A
• Auburndale – 1701 Holt Road
• Dundee – 805 Dr. Martin Luther King St SW
• Poinciana Park – 5109 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee

A maximum of 10 pre-filled sandbags will be distributed to each household address to prevent water from entering homes. Bring a driver’s license to show your local address.