{"id":68564,"date":"2026-06-02T17:32:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T21:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=68564"},"modified":"2026-06-02T17:32:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T21:32:44","slug":"polk-county-urges-residents-to-prepare-for-hurricane-season-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2026\/06\/02\/polk-county-urges-residents-to-prepare-for-hurricane-season-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Polk County Urges Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Season Now"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"7a806a\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #7a806a;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Gemini_Generated_Image_kchu65kchu65kchu-1024x559.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-68565 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Gemini_Generated_Image_kchu65kchu65kchu-1024x559.webp 1024w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Gemini_Generated_Image_kchu65kchu65kchu-300x164.webp 300w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Gemini_Generated_Image_kchu65kchu65kchu-768x419.webp 768w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Gemini_Generated_Image_kchu65kchu65kchu.webp 1408w\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, Polk County Emergency Management Director Paul Womble is urging all residents to take proactive steps now before a storm threatens the area.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While NOAA\u2019s initial forecasts predict a slightly below-average season this year (estimating 8 to 14 named storms and 3 to 6 hurricanes), local officials stress that it only takes one storm hitting our area to disrupt daily life.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emergency management officials recommend focusing on five key areas to ensure your household is ready:<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Build a 7-Day Supply Kit:<\/strong> Prepare to be self-sufficient for at least a week. Your kit should include one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food (and a manual can opener), flashlights, extra batteries, and a week\u2019s supply of medications. Don&#8217;t forget supplies for your pets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create a Communications Plan:<\/strong> Establish how your family will get in touch if you are separated, and designate a single out-of-town relative as a point of contact. Keep a hard-copy list of emergency phone numbers in case cell networks or power grids go down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Secure Your Property:<\/strong> Review your home and renters insurance policies now, and store critical documents in a waterproof container or secure digital backup. Spend some time trimming low-hanging tree branches and overgrown vegetation around your house.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Plan for Special Needs:<\/strong> If you or a loved one requires electricity for medical equipment or oxygen, you should pre-register with the <strong>Florida Special Needs Registry<\/strong> as soon as possible to secure appropriate assistance or shelter space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Know Your Shelter Options:<\/strong> Polk County features 48 designated public shelters (including 17 right here in the Lakeland area). While staying home or with a local friend is always preferred if safe, the county operates three pet-friendly shelters and three special-needs shelters that activate as needed during a crisis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stay Connected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most effective tool during severe weather is accurate information. You can sign up for free, localized emergency alerts directly through <strong>Alert Polk<\/strong>.<sup><\/sup> Local emergency management updates will also be broadcast on local radio stations (WONN 1230 AM and WPCV 97.5 FM) and posted on the county&#8217;s social media channels (<code>@polkemergency<\/code> on X and Polk County Emergency Management on Facebook)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When assembling a 7-day emergency kit, the goal is to think about self-sufficiency. If a major storm hits, utilities could be down for days, and roads might be temporarily impassable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Official checklists from organizations like the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) break down supplies into specific, manageable categories for your household and your animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Household Core Supplies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The basics of your kit ensure your family has hydration, nutrition, and light if power grids go down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> 1 gallon per person, per day, for 7 days (primarily for drinking and basic sanitation).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food:<\/strong> A 7-day supply of non-perishable, shelf-stable items (canned meats, fruits, vegetables, protein bars, and cereal).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Manual Can Opener:<\/strong> A critical but frequently forgotten item.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lighting &amp; Power:<\/strong> Flashlights, a battery-operated or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio, and several packs of extra batteries. <em>Avoid candles due to fire hazards.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cash:<\/strong> Keep small bills on hand, as local ATMs and credit card machines will not work if the power or internet is out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First Aid Kit:<\/strong> Bandages, sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, a thermometer, and basic over-the-counter pain relievers or antacids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Important Documents &amp; Personal Items<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep these items sealed in a waterproof, portable container or a heavy-duty zip-top bag so you can grab them instantly if you need to evacuate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Medications:<\/strong> A minimum 7-to-14-day supply of all prescription medical supplies and a written list of dosages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Documents:<\/strong> Hard copies of insurance cards (home, auto, health), medical records, banking information, IDs\/birth certificates, and emergency contact phone numbers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sanitation:<\/strong> Moist towelettes, heavy-duty garbage bags, plastic ties, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Device Chargers:<\/strong> Fully charged portable power banks for your cell phones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Pet Emergency Kit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your animals depend entirely on you to pack their essentials. Just like humans, they require their own dedicated stash of supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Food and Water:<\/strong> A 7-day supply of dry or wet pet food stored in an airtight container, plus extra water allocated specifically for them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Travel Gear:<\/strong> A sturdy pet carrier or crate (labeled with your contact details), a secure collar or harness, and a leash.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Identification &amp; Records:<\/strong> Printed copies of their vaccination history, rabies certificate, microchip registration details, and a recent photo of you with your pet (to prove ownership if separated).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Waste Management:<\/strong> For dogs, plenty of poop bags. For cats, a portable litter box, a small scoop, and a supply of litter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comfort Items:<\/strong> A favorite toy, blanket, or towel to help lower their anxiety levels in a stressful situation or shelter environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Don&#8217;t forget simple comfort items like books, board games, or deck of cards. Keeping your mind occupied during long hours without power makes a massive difference in managing stress.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, Polk County Emergency Management Director Paul Womble is urging all residents to take proactive steps now before&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"wpai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":true,"token":"eyJpbWciOiJodHRwczpcL1wvaTAud3AuY29tXC9sYWtlbGFuZGdhemV0dGUuaW5mb1wvbmV3c1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDZcL0dlbWluaV9HZW5lcmF0ZWRfSW1hZ2Vfa2NodTY1a2NodTY1a2NodS53ZWJwP2ZpdD0xMDI0JTJDNTU5JnNzbD0xIiwidHh0IjoiUG9sayBDb3VudHkgVXJnZXMgUmVzaWRlbnRzIHRvIFByZXBhcmUgZm9yIEh1cnJpY2FuZSBTZWFzb24gTm93IiwidGVtcGxhdGUiOiJkb2lzIiwiZm9udCI6IiIsImJsb2dfaWQiOjE2MzA0MDY2MX0.TwK4y_pRo19fuH52cZGgBweAtsQexIXM9w2bortFWNwMQ"},"version":2,"media_source":"sig","attached_media":[{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/jetpack.com\/redirect\/?source=sigenerate&query=t%3DeyJpbWciOiJodHRwczpcL1wvaTAud3AuY29tXC9sYWtlbGFuZGdhemV0dGUuaW5mb1wvbmV3c1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDZcL0dlbWluaV9HZW5lcmF0ZWRfSW1hZ2Vfa2NodTY1a2NodTY1a2NodS53ZWJwP2ZpdD0xMDI0JTJDNTU5JnNzbD0xIiwidHh0IjoiUG9sayBDb3VudHkgVXJnZXMgUmVzaWRlbnRzIHRvIFByZXBhcmUgZm9yIEh1cnJpY2FuZSBTZWFzb24gTm93IiwidGVtcGxhdGUiOiJkb2lzIiwiZm9udCI6IiIsImJsb2dfaWQiOjE2MzA0MDY2MX0.TwK4y_pRo19fuH52cZGgBweAtsQexIXM9w2bortFWNwMQ","type":"image\/jpeg"}]},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[14],"tags":[14758],"class_list":["post-68564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-polk-county-urges-residents-to-prepare-for-hurricane-season-now"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68564"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68564\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68566,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68564\/revisions\/68566"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}