Hurricane Miltonmade landfall at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday near Siesta Key, a barrier island off of South Sarasota.
The storm had gradually dropped in intensity to a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds at 120 mph, Wednesday, according to the 8 p.m. update from the National Weather Service. But it was still expected to bring hurricane winds to Polk County as it meanders east-northeast across the state. It's latest track predicted it would travel through Highland City and Winter Haven.
Milton had already brought tons of rain to Polk County on Wednesday. Much of the county was under tornado warnings and flash flood warnings by early Wednesday afternoon, and the rain continued, unrelenting, through the night.
On the coast, forecasters' biggest concern is storm surge, which could hit 10 to 15 feet in several areas.
"The storm surge anticipated in some communities will be to thelevel of one- and two-story buildingsand can reach that level with tremendous force in a matter of a few minutes," AccuWeather warned.
"Milton will be a surge event unlike any hurricane in living memory for west-central Florida, with only major hurricane strikes in 1848 and 1921 comparable in scope and height of the coastal flooding," said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist with WeatherTiger. Truchelut is a Florida meteorologist who works with the USA TODAY Network.
Polk County's forecast
Polk County can expect hurricane force winds late Wednesday night or early Thursday.
Austen Flannery, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay, said Wednesday morning that despite some continued "wobbles," Hurricane Milton remained on track to cross Polk County.
"You're still looking at a very significant impacts, the storm will have a large wind field that will expand as it approaches the coast with very strong winds over the Lakeland area," Flannery said.
A tornado watch was in effect Wednesday morning, and by Wednesday afternoon, much of the county was under a tornado watch as heavy storm cells ripped through the area, showing some rotation in the clouds.
Tropical storm force winds started arriving in Polk as early as 2 p.m. Wednesday, but Flannery said residents needed to be prepared for sustained winds of at least 75 mph, and more likely over 110 mph with higher wind gusts overnight.
The storm is expected to bring total rainfall as high as 12 inches, with up to 18 inches of rain in some isolated area. The county remains under a flood watch through Thursday morning, and on Wednesday afternoon, a flash flood watch was issued as rains battered the area.
Power outages start across Polk County - 8:08 p.m.
As Milton approaches Florida's west coast, strong winds and heavy rain in advance of the storm have already created patches of power outages across Polk County. As of approximately 8 p.m., the electric companies are reporting the following power outages:
- Lakeland Electric: 106 active outages, impacting 5,829 customers
- Duke Energy: 39 active outages, impacting 2,042 customers
- TECO: Over 1,000 outages in southeast Winter Haven, 155 outages north of Jan Phyl Village and over 415 outages in the Davenport-Haines City area
Polk Emergency Management 5:10 p.m. update
"The message is the impacts of the storm are here," said Paul Womble, Director of Polk County’s Emergency Management during a 5:10 p.m. Wednesday update from the Emergency Operations Center in Bartow.
“Now is the time to hunker down,” he added. “It’s not safe, and the strongest part of the storm is not here.” He expected the worse rainfall amounts and winds to occur after dark.
Several places in the county have experienced downed power lines, and because of significant rain, flash flood warnings are active and have been verified, Womble said.
“There are several places with water across the roads,” he said.
There were numerous tornado warnings in Polk County Wednesday afternoon but no confirmed touchdown of a funnel cloud, he said. Highlands County just to Polk’s south did have a confirmed tornado touchdown.
The shelters are now holding about 5,500 people and remained open, Womble said.
Citrus Connection had been transporting people to special needs shelters since 6 a.m. Wednesday but planned to stop once winds reach 45 mph. All the shelters will accept people until the weather conditions become too dangerous to open the doors.
Still, Womble said it is best to stay hunkered down for now until it’s safer tomorrow.
A message from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd to looters
Overturned camper blocking lanes on Polk Parkway - 4:45 p.m.
The Florida Highway patrol reported an overturned camper and pickup truck was blocking the two eastbound lanes of the Polk Parkway at mile marker 17, which is near U.S. 92.
No injuries were reported.
Sheriff's Office warns of two flooded roads - 4:40 p.m.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said two roads are impassible because of torrential rains from Hurricane Milton.
In Lakeland, Reynolds Road is flooded at Maine Avenue. And in Winter Haven, 42nd Street Northwest at Avenue Q is also flooded.
"Please avoid these areas, and do not attempt to drive through flooded streets," the Sheriff's Office said.
Flash flood warning for Polk County until 3:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Tampa issued a flash flood warning for Polk County through 3:15 p.m. as torrential rain from Hurricane Milton lashed the area.
"At 312 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen," the alert said. "Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly."
Scenes from around Lakeland as Milton approaches
Tornado warning issued for northwest Polk County - 3:09 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Ruskin has issued a tornado warning for northwest Polk County. It is in effect until 3:15 p.m.
At 2:42 p.m., the NWS detected a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado over Winter Haven, moving northwest at 25 mph. Radar indicated rotation inside the storm, the NWS said in an update.
The agency warned of potential flying debris. If a tornado forms, mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed, the NWS said. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur, and tree damage is likely.
The storm presents a danger to Polk City, Inwood, Lake Alfred, the Winter Haven Airport, Kathleen, Gibsonia, Eagle Lake, Cypress Gardens and Lake Hamilton, the NWS said.
Weather Service issued tornado warning in southeast Polk
Two areas with radar indicated possible tornado activity was reported Wednesday with possible 80 mph winds and hail moving south of Dundee, Lake Wales, Frostproof and Davenport, the TV News Channel 2 in Orlando reported.
Some of the rotation lasted in the atmosphere for up to 20 minutes, the report said.
Further, the NWS has issued a tornado warning at 1:48 p.m. Wednesday until 9 p.m. for Polk County and nine other southern and southwestern Florida moving north.
Polk County offices closed until Monday
Polk County Government offices will be closed from Wednesday through Friday with plans to reopen to the public on Monday, a press release issued on Wednesday said.
The Polk Commission’s agenda review scheduled for Friday has been canceled and rescheduled for Monday in room 407 of the Polk County Government Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow.
Avelo Airlines cancels its Thursday flight
Avelo Airlines made the decision to cancel its 7:30 p.m. Thursday outbound flight to Tweed Airport in New Haven, Connecticut, according to Airport Director Kris Hallstrand.
'Shelter of last resort' in Lakeland - 11:16 a.m.
During a news conference Wednesday morning, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the LifeScience Logistics warehouse at 310 N. Galloway Road in Lakeland is one of several "shelters of last resort" the state will make available to residents fleeing Hurricane Milton. DeSantis did not offer additional details.
The facility opened in 2021. The company that operates the 100,000-square-foot warehouse has been awarded a state contract to manage the supply of drugs imported from Canada.
Bartow can expect major flooding
The NWS has revised its forecast for the Peace River at State Road 60 in Bartow since Tuesday. It now predicts major flooding in Bartow by Sunday.
By 2 p.m. Wednesday, the NWS said the Peace River at SR 60 in Bartow water level is expected to reach 7 feet, still below minor flood levels.
After Hurricane Milton has dumped at least a foot of rain in some areas of Central Florida, the NWS forecast tells a different story.
On Thursday, the Peace River is expected reach action stage and then on Friday it will rise to moderate flooding levels, according NWS forecasts. By Sunday at 2 a.m. the river will reach 10.1 feet, which is considered a major flood level.
By comparison, the historic record high watermark in Bartow was 11.1 feet.
