Need to evacuate? Here's a list of Polk County's hurricane shelters and their policies

Ledger staff
·4 min read

Polk County Emergency Management recommends everyone shelter in-place during a disaster if possible. For those unable to remain in place, such as those in mobile homes, the remaining choices should be considered in order of preference:

  • Evacuate to a friend of relative’s residence, as it’s less traumatic for everyone to be sheltered with familiar people.

  • Evacuate the Area – leave at least two to three days before the storm is expected to strike.

  • Evacuate to a hotel or motel - make arrangements early, as rooms will fill quickly.

  • Evacuate to a public shelter.

Residents watch the weather on a television at Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary in North Lakeland as they wait for Hurricane Charley to arrive in in 2004.
Residents watch the weather on a television at Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary in North Lakeland as they wait for Hurricane Charley to arrive in in 2004.

PUBLIC SHELTER POLICIES

Not all shelters are automatically activated for each emergency. Shelters are opened as they are needed. The county asks that residents do not show up at a shelter before confirming that it is open. For shelter information, monitor local media or call the Citizens Information Line at 863-401-2234.

No pets are allowed except at designated pet-friendly sites.(See below)

No weapons or alcoholic beverages are allowed in public shelters.

For more information, visit polk-county.net/hurricane-preparedness.

Here's a list of Polk County primary shelters, as well as shelters set up for special needs and pet-friendly shelters.

PRIMARY SHELTERS

Auburndale

  • Auburndale High School, 1 Bloodhound Trail

  • Jere L. Stambaugh Middle School, 226 N. Main St.

  • Walter Caldwell Elementary School, 141 Dairy Road

Bartow

  • Bartow High School, 1270 S Broadway Ave.

  • Stephens Elementary School, 1350 N Maple Ave.

  • Spessard L. Holland Elementary, 2342 EF Griffin Road

Davenport

  • Citrus Ridge Academy, 1775 Sand Mine Road

  • Davenport School of the Arts, 4751 County Road 547

  • Horizons Elementary School, 1700 Forest Lake Drive

  • Loughman Oaks Elementary School, 4600 U.S. 17

  • Ridgeview Global Studies Academy, 1000 Dunson Road

Eagle Lake

  • Pinewood Elementary School, 1400 Gilbert St.

Haines City

  • Alta Vista Elementary School, 801 Scenic Highway

  • Sandhill Elementary School, 1801 Tyner Road

  • Shelley S. Boone Middle School, 225 S. 22nd St.

Lakeland

  • Combee Elementary School, 2805 Morgan Combee Road

  • George Jenkins High School, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Road

  • Highlands Grove Elementary School, 4510 Lakeland Highlands Road

  • Kathleen Elementary School, 3515 Sherertz Road

  • Kathleen High School, 1100 Red Devil Way

  • Lake Gibson High School, 7007 N. Socrum Loop Road

  • Lakeland Highlands Middle School, 740 Lake Miriam Drive

  • Philip O’Brien Elementary School, 1225 E. Lime St.

  • Lincoln Avenue Academy, 1330 N. Lincoln Ave.

  • Dr. N. E. Roberts Elementary, 6600 Green Road

  • Rochelle School of the Arts, 1501 Martin L King Jr. Ave.

  • Scott Lake Elementary School, 1140 County Road 540A

  • Sleepy Hill Elementary School, 2285 Sleepy Hill Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810

  • Southwest Elementary School, 2650 Southwest Ave.

  • R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School, 5500 Yates Road

Lake Alfred

  • Karen M. Siegel Academy, 935 Evenhouse Road

Evacuees set up at the Donald Bronson Community Center in Polk City ahead of Hurricane Irma approached in 2017.
Evacuees set up at the Donald Bronson Community Center in Polk City ahead of Hurricane Irma approached in 2017.

Lake Wales

  • Spook Hill Elementary School, 321 Dr J.A. Wiltshire Ave.

Mulberry

  • Mulberry Middle School, 500 S.E. Dr. M.L.K. Jr Ave.

  • Purcell Elementary School, 305 N.E. 1st Ave.

Polk City

  • Donald Bronson Community Center, 124 Bronson Trail

Poinciana

  • Lake Marion Creek Middle School, 3055 Lake Marion Creek Road

  • Laurel Elementary School, 1851 Laurel Ave.

  • Palmetto Elementary School, 315 Palmetto St.

Winter Haven

  • Chain of Lakes Elementary School, 7001 State Road 653

  • Jewett School of the Arts, 2250 8th St. N.E.

  • Winter Haven High School, 600 6th St. SE

SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTERS

  • Florida Department of Health-Polk Specialty Care Unit, 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow

  • Ridge Community High School, 500 Orchid Drive, Davenport

  • McKeel Academy of Technology, 1810 W. Parker St., Lakeland

The Polk County Special Needs Program is designed to provide sheltering for residents with medical or physical conditions or those who are dependent on medical electrical

equipment or require assistance during an emergency.

The program also provides transportation to public shelters and pet-friendly shelters for

those unable to evacuate on their own. Pre-registration in the program, for medical needs or for transportation only, is preferred. Call 863-298-7027.

PET FRIENDLY SHELTERS

  • Lake Region High School, 1995 Thunder Road (pet friendly shelter)

  • Haines City High School, 2800 Hornet Drive (pet friendly shelter)

  • Tenoroc High School, 4905 Saddle Creek Road (pet friendly shelter)

Due to space limitations, pet-friendly shelters will only provide shelter only for dogs, cats, birds and their owners. Additional shelter requirements include complete shot records for each pet; an airline-approved carrying case, in which each animal brought to the shelter will remain for the duration of their stay; food for the pet for at least seven days; and an agreement, signed by the pet owner upon registration, that confirms that the pet will be accompanied by an owner throughout the duration of the sheltering.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Hurricane season: Polk County's shelters and rules