The Winter Haven Chamber is closely monitoring Hurricane Idalia.
In an abundance of caution, the Chamber Building and Information Center
will be closed on Wednesday, August 30th.
Staff will be working remotely. Please reach out to our team if you need assistance.
Sandbag Fill Sites
Polk County Sandbag Fill Sites
Polk County's sandbag dispensaries are now housed within its secure Roads and Drainage Division sites. During emergency situations, sandbags and sand will be provided at these sites with the assistance of our staff members. A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household to help prevent water intrusion into the home.
Monday 8/28 from 8 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday 8/29 from 8 AM - 3 PM
For the most up to date sandbag fill site locations click here.
Winter Haven Sandbag Fill Site
This site is for Winter Haven residents only. Driver's licenses will be checked for residency.
City of Winter Haven has opened a self-serve sandbag station at Lake Maude Recreation Park for Winter Haven residents at Lake Maude Recreation Park. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household. Closing time on Tuesday is subject to storm activity. Residents will need to bring their own shovels for sand.
Monday 8/28 from 11 AM - 9 PM
Tuesday 8/29 from 8 AM - Close
Lake Maude Recreation Park
1751 7th Street NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
(entrance on 7th Street)
Polk County's sandbag dispensaries are now housed within its secure Roads and Drainage Division sites. During emergency situations, sandbags and sand will be provided at these sites with the assistance of our staff members. A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household to help prevent water intrusion into the home.
Monday 8/28 from 8 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday 8/29 from 8 AM - 3 PM
For the most up to date sandbag fill site locations click here.
Winter Haven Sandbag Fill Site
This site is for Winter Haven residents only. Driver's licenses will be checked for residency.
City of Winter Haven has opened a self-serve sandbag station at Lake Maude Recreation Park for Winter Haven residents at Lake Maude Recreation Park. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household. Closing time on Tuesday is subject to storm activity. Residents will need to bring their own shovels for sand.
Monday 8/28 from 11 AM - 9 PM
Tuesday 8/29 from 8 AM - Close
Lake Maude Recreation Park
1751 7th Street NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
(entrance on 7th Street)
Public Shelters
All public shelters hosted at school sites will be closing at 1PM. Those still needing shelter at that time will be transitioned to the Health Department site at 1255 Brice Blvd in Bartow.
Polk County and the Department of Health-Polk County will open a special needs shelter at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. The shelter is located at the Department of Health-Polk County Specialty Care Unit, 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow.
For updated location details click here.
Polk County and the Department of Health-Polk County will open a special needs shelter at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. The shelter is located at the Department of Health-Polk County Specialty Care Unit, 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow.
For updated location details click here.
Announced Member Closures!
- Bank of Central Florida - Polk County location closing at noon on Tuesday 8/29 and remain closed on Wednesday 8/30.
- Bellies to Babies - Delayed opening for Wednesday 8/30 at noon.
- Citizens Bank & Trust - Polk County location will delay opening until noon on Wednesday 8/30.
- Delectable Delights - Open
- Haven Coffee Roasters - Delayed opening for Wednesday 8/30 at 8 AM.
- Haven Local Shop - Delayed opening for Wednesday 8/30 (time TBA)
- LEGOLAND Florida Resort - Open
- LEGOLAND Water Park - Closed Wednesday 8/30
- Peppa Pig Theme Park - Open
- Polk County Public Schools - Closed Wednesday 8/30 - Thursday 8/31. (All after school activities are also cancelled for Tuesday 8/29).
- Polk State College - Reopening on Thursday 8/31
- Saddle Creek Campground - Closed Tuesday 8/29 and Wednesday 8/30.
- Salomon Eye Care - Open
- SoCe Market - Closed Wednesday 8/30
- Tsukiyomi Sushi - Closed for lunch on Wednesday 8/30. Opening for dinner at 4 PM
City of Winter Haven Citizen Information Line
Please call 863-508-3058 to access the citizen information line. This provides a recorded message containing important up-to-date information for citizens. It will be updated as the storm progresses and will provide important information when recovery efforts begin after the storm.
Polk County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line
This is active to answer Hurricane Idalia-related questions. The Citizen’s Information Line can be reached at (863) 401-2234 (locally) or toll-free 866-661-0228.
Statewide Resources and Updates
Florida Department of Emergency Management
FDEM has launched the State Assistance Information Line(SAIL), a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida. Residents can call the SAIL hotline at 1-800-342-3557.
ESF-18
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 1: Full Activation and ESF 18 is staffed from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Our team is available to respond to any questions, concerns, or unmet needs of the business community. You can reach us by sending an email to esf18@em.myflorida.com or by calling the Private Sector Hotline at 850-815-4925.
Businesses located in Florida are encouraged to review the Business Re-Entry Procedures and ensure that employees have the required documentation prior to the storm's arrival. To prepare your business, complete the Disaster Planning Toolkit to identify essential documents, personnel, and business needs.
Live Map of Open and Closed Businesses
Florida Disaster Fund:
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The fund is a component of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Florida’s official 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports volunteerism, community service, and disaster recovery. To donate, click here.
Private Sector Coordination Call:
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is hosting a daily private sector coordination call from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, beginning Monday, August 28, 2023. Briefings will be provided by SERT meteorology, fuels, communications, transportation, and energy, as well as private sector Partners such as the Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and VISIT FLORIDA. Call-in information is provided below:
Phone number: 888-585-9008
Participant Code: 753 329 128
Emergency Orders:
The Florida Department of Transportation issued Emergency Order 23-06 on August 27, 2023 to allow the establishment of alternate size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies or personnel. An Emergency Road Use Permit Letter must be used in conjunction with the referenced maps for overweight vehicles.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued Emergency Order 082623 on August 26, 2023 to waive the hours-of-service requirements for vehicles engaged in emergency response.
The Florida Department of Health issued guidance on early prescription refills permitted under the Executive Order. Under a state of emergency, a pharmacist can dispense an existing refill prescription early to persons who reside in an area or county covered under the executive order and to emergency personnel who have been activated by their state or local agency but do not reside in an area or county covered by this executive order. An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. Under this state of emergency and pursuant to section 252.358, Florida Statutes , all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other entities that are licensed by the Office of Insurance Regulation shall waive time restrictions on early refills.
FDEM has launched the State Assistance Information Line(SAIL), a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida. Residents can call the SAIL hotline at 1-800-342-3557.
ESF-18
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 1: Full Activation and ESF 18 is staffed from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Our team is available to respond to any questions, concerns, or unmet needs of the business community. You can reach us by sending an email to esf18@em.myflorida.com or by calling the Private Sector Hotline at 850-815-4925.
Businesses located in Florida are encouraged to review the Business Re-Entry Procedures and ensure that employees have the required documentation prior to the storm's arrival. To prepare your business, complete the Disaster Planning Toolkit to identify essential documents, personnel, and business needs.
Live Map of Open and Closed Businesses
Florida Disaster Fund:
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The fund is a component of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Florida’s official 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports volunteerism, community service, and disaster recovery. To donate, click here.
Private Sector Coordination Call:
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is hosting a daily private sector coordination call from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, beginning Monday, August 28, 2023. Briefings will be provided by SERT meteorology, fuels, communications, transportation, and energy, as well as private sector Partners such as the Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and VISIT FLORIDA. Call-in information is provided below:
Phone number: 888-585-9008
Participant Code: 753 329 128
Emergency Orders:
The Florida Department of Transportation issued Emergency Order 23-06 on August 27, 2023 to allow the establishment of alternate size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies or personnel. An Emergency Road Use Permit Letter must be used in conjunction with the referenced maps for overweight vehicles.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued Emergency Order 082623 on August 26, 2023 to waive the hours-of-service requirements for vehicles engaged in emergency response.
The Florida Department of Health issued guidance on early prescription refills permitted under the Executive Order. Under a state of emergency, a pharmacist can dispense an existing refill prescription early to persons who reside in an area or county covered under the executive order and to emergency personnel who have been activated by their state or local agency but do not reside in an area or county covered by this executive order. An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. Under this state of emergency and pursuant to section 252.358, Florida Statutes , all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other entities that are licensed by the Office of Insurance Regulation shall waive time restrictions on early refills.
Evacuation Orders
There are currently no evacuation orders in place for Polk County. For the updated list of evacuation orders click here.
Helpful Resources
- National Hurricane Center
- Winter Haven Public Safety Hurricane Preparedness Guide
- City of Winter Haven Emergency Information & Resources
- Polk County Disaster Preparedness
- Polk County Public Schools (School Closures)
- FEMA's Ready Business Preparedness Planning Tools
- Red Cross Ready Rating (Build your Business Emergency Plan)
- Florida Division of Emergency Management
- Florida Disaster Resources for Business
- Disaster Contractors Network
- Winter Haven Public Safety Hurricane Preparedness Guide
- City of Winter Haven Emergency Information & Resources
- Polk County Disaster Preparedness
- Polk County Public Schools (School Closures)
- FEMA's Ready Business Preparedness Planning Tools
- Red Cross Ready Rating (Build your Business Emergency Plan)
- Florida Division of Emergency Management
- Florida Disaster Resources for Business
- Disaster Contractors Network
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From our friends at Tampa Electric...
Tampa Electric offers customers several ways to report and monitor power outages:
Tampa Electric also will use Facebook facebook.com/tampaelectric and X (formerly known as Twitter) @tampaelectric to keep customers informed about outage restoration.
Tampa Electric would like to remind customers to be safe after a storm:
- Log into your online account at tecoaccount.com to report the outage with one click. Visit tampaelectric.com/outage and report your outage.
- Text OUT to 27079. Text UPDATE or STATUS for updates on your reported outage.
- Call 1-877-588-1010, Tampa Electric’s dedicated toll-free automated power outage phone system.
- Go to tecoaccount.com/notifications and sign up for free outage notifications by text, email or phone calls.
- Visit our outage map at tampaelectric.com/outagemap to report and track outages. You can also get restoration status.
Tampa Electric also will use Facebook facebook.com/tampaelectric and X (formerly known as Twitter) @tampaelectric to keep customers informed about outage restoration.
Tampa Electric would like to remind customers to be safe after a storm:
- Remember to keep away from downed power lines and urge others to be extremely cautious.
- Remember to use portable generators safely. Plug your appliances directly into the generator. DO NOT connect your portable generator into your home’s circuits. Connecting your generator to the circuits may cause power to flow to outside lines, posing life-threatening danger to restoration crews.
- Portable generators must not be taken into homes or any enclosed space (like a garage) where deadly carbon monoxide gases could build up.
- Stay out of floodwaters, as they can hide energized power lines or put you at risk of drowning.
Winter Haven Public Safety App
The Public Safety Department smart phone app is FREE for download. This app is available for Android and IOS and can be found in the app store by searching for Winter Haven Public Safety (you will see the City Seal as the icon). The smartphone app is a very valuable resource and allows you to receive vital messages immediately from our Public Safety team during the storm. You can also utilize the app to report non-emergency items to Police and Fire. We encourage you to download this and allow push notifications as another tool to receive important storm information.
