The 2025 Hurricane season begins on June 1st.

Lakeland Electric 2025 Hurricane Guide

National Weather Service / NOAA Updates | Florida Emergency Management

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Post Hurricane Resources

• FEMA IGA Advisory 06.09.2025

  FEMA IGA Advisory 06.09.2025 - English | Spanish

• FEMA IGA Advisory 06.04.2025

  FEMA IGA Advisory 06.04.2025 - English | Spanish

• Public Notice: Lake Bonny Emergency Pumping Operations Update - Published May 6, 2025

  LAKELAND, FL (May 6, 2025) | With the 2025 Hurricane Season just weeks away, the City of Lakeland has obtained an Emergency Field Authorization (EFA) to operate the Lake Bonny stormwater pump below the standard permitted level of 130.10 feet (NAVD) in preparation for potential storm events.

  Under the EFA, pumping is permitted until water levels reach 128.40 feet NAVD, which represents the average depth to the regional water table per Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) records. Pumping below this level is ineffective, as nearly all water would consist of groundwater. Additionally, when water levels fall below 128.70 feet NAVD, there is insufficient water in the canal system between Lake Bonny and Lake Parker to allow the City's stormwater pump to operate efficiently.

  To address this, Polk County has secured a temporary access agreement to place an auxiliary pump on private property adjacent to the canal on the east side of Longfellow Boulevard. This auxiliary pump will be used to move water from Lake Bonny through the canal system to support the City’s pump when canal water levels are too low for normal operation.

  If both the City and County determine that conditions warrant it, the County will mobilize and begin their pumping operations within 24 hours. Both agencies will closely monitor pumping activities to maintain appropriate water flow and prevent canal overflow. Adjustments to pumping rates and volumes will be made as necessary based on real-time field conditions.

  This coordinated procedure was agreed upon by the City of Lakeland, Polk County, and SWFWMD during a meeting held on April 16, 2025.

• Post Hurricane Resources

  https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ FEMA Phone: 1-800-621-3362  Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen; FEMA must be able to verify the applicant's identity; Applicant's insurance cannot meet their disaster-caused needs; and Applicant's necessary expenses and needs are directly caused by the declared disaster. If your claim has been denied:  Please reach out directly to FEMA at (800) 621-3362. You have 60 days to appeal after your claim has been denied. Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided available resources on how to prepare, recover and build long-term resilience during disasters. To learn more about the USDA's response to Hurricane Milton, click HERE. Types of assistance: Livestock Assistance Farm Loans Farmland Damages Crop Losses Additional Assistance Don't know where to start? Call HOPE FLORIDA at 833-438-4673 Monitor your local county Emergency Management websites for more localized information regarding housing, tarp, food, and water distributions.                -Hillsborough: https://hcfl.gov/residents/public-safety/emergency-management                -Polk: https://www.polk-county.net/public-safety/emergency-management/                -Pasco: https://www.pascocountyfl.net/services/emergency_management/index.php

  Important Contacts and Emergency Lines Polk County’s Emergency Management Division encourages residents to use the Citizen’s Information Line to answer Hurricane Milton-related questions, at (863) 298-7500 (locally) or toll-free at (866) 661-0228. The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is now open and accepting calls 24/7 with English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole speakers available at 1-800-342-3557. The Hope Line is available to assist those in need of resources or other assistance after the storm. It is now available 24/7 for the next two-plus weeks at 833-GET-HOPE.

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  Register for State Assistance at Activate Hope:
  www.hopeflorida.com

  Register for Federal Disaster Assistance:
  www.disasterassistance.gov

  or call 1-800-621-3362.

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  Residents that may need help with debris cleanup can call Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386. Volunteers may be able to assist with: fallen trees, drywall, flooring & appliance removal, tarping roofs and mold mitigation.

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  The Florida Division of Emergency Management has announced the opening of Operation Blue Roof. Eligible Polk County residents can apply for this no-cost service through November 5, 2024 by visiting blueroof.gov, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or visiting a Right of Entry (ROE) collection.
  

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  The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services is hosting an insurance village at the RP Funding Center that is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The village will serve as an opportunity for policyholders to meet with their insurance carriers in person and work together to file insurance claims. Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including:

  • A driver’s license or other form of identification (Passport/State issued ID)
  • Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation
  • Pictures or documentation of the property
  • Repair estimates
  • Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible
    
    

  NOTE: Due to space limitations, the insurance village will exclusively focus on insurance related issues. Staff from other agencies will not be present to assist with other post-storm benefits. For more information visit www.FloridaDisaster.org. 

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  A debris hotline has been established. Staff will be able to let the caller know where debris haulers are currently working and explain the debris removal process.  The hotline is live: 863-834-TREE (8733).

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  Customers with damaged electrical equipment like a weather head or those in the heavily flooded areas may not get power until the floodwaters recede or damaged equipment undergoes assessment and repair by a qualified electrician. Please call Customer Service at 863-834-9535 to report electric emergencies and downed lines. 
  

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  United Way: 211
  For individuals, call for up-to-the-minute information, including school closures and sandbag distributions. Local Social Services Referal.

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  Red Cross: 1-800-Red-Cross

• Funding Support for Storm-Affected Communities: SHIP, CDBG-DR & FDEM

  Coastal communities are providing financial assistance to eligible residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Some are utilizing state housing funds, while others have received federal funding based on community impact assessments.

  Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa are utilizing State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funds to support eligible homeowners impacted by the storms. These funds are designated for primary homesteaded properties and income-qualified residents.

  Administered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the SHIP program allocates funds to local governments to promote partnerships that foster and sustain affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program serves very low-, low-, and moderate-income families.

  SHIP funds are distributed to all 67 Florida counties and 55 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement cities, with a minimum allocation of $350,000. To participate, local governments must establish a local housing assistance program, develop a housing assistance plan and incentive strategy, amend land development regulations, form partnerships to reduce housing costs, and ensure housing costs remain within 30% of the area median income (AMI), unless otherwise authorized by mortgage lenders.

  Eligible uses of SHIP funds include emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, down payment and closing cost assistance, impact fees, construction financing, mortgage buy-downs, property acquisition for affordable housing, matching funds for federal housing grants, and homeownership counseling. The funds must be used in accordance with Chapter 553 housing standards.

  Funding allocations must meet specific requirements: at least 65% must go toward homeownership activities, 75% must be dedicated to construction activities, 30% must benefit very low-income households (up to 50% of AMI), and an additional 30% must be allocated to low-income households (up to 80% of AMI). The remaining funds can support households earning up to 140% of AMI. Administrative expenses cannot exceed 10% of total SHIP funds. The program was established under the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act, with allocations determined by population-based formulas.  The City of Lakeland has no funds available for moderate income (More than 80% of AMI) until July 2025 when the State of Florida’s new budget year begins. This assumes SHIP funds are approved by the Florida legislature and distributed in the Florida FY26 budget.

  Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties have received direct federal allocations from the CDBG-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant funds, appropriated by Congress and distributed by HUD to aid disaster recovery efforts. These funds help rebuild affected areas and support long-term recovery initiatives. However, Polk County did not receive direct CDBG-DR funding for Hurricanes Helene or Milton.

  Communities must follow a stringent HUD-approved process before accessing CDBG-DR funds, including submitting and obtaining approval for an action plan. While Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties received direct allocations, Polk County is grouped with 46 other counties under a state-managed action plan. Consequently, the City of Lakeland is not eligible to directly pursue these funds, as HUD distributes them based on disaster impact assessments.

  The City of Lakeland has applied for available grants, including funding from the Watershed Planning Program under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). This program, approved by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and FEMA, supports Watershed Master Plans (WMP) and Stormwater Master Plans (SWMP) across Florida. Lakeland's application aims to complete a Stormwater Master Plan, though FDEM has yet to announce funding recipients.

  Additionally, FDEM is offering HMGP funds exclusively for local governments impacted by recent hurricanes. Polk County has received funding related to Hurricanes Debby and Milton. Applications for this funding are due by July 25, 2025, and the City of Lakeland plans to apply based on the findings of the Lake Bonny Watershed Assessment.

   

• Public Notice: Elevate Florida Statewide Residential Mitigation Program

  Elevate Florida: A Statewide Residential Mitigation Program

  Elevate Florida is a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind statewide residential mitigation program led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Designed to protect homes and communities, this initiative aims to reduce damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods.

  Application Details

  The Elevate Florida application portal is now open! To apply, create an account and complete the application through https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/elevate-Florida.

  Property Owner Eligibility

  Your property does not need to have experienced previous flooding or damage to qualify. However, applications may be prioritized based on loss history. To be eligible, property owners must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
  • Be the legal owner of a residential property in Florida.
  • Contribute up to 25% of the total project cost, including an upfront portion of inspection costs.

  The total project cost varies based on project type, square footage, foundation, construction type, and required activities. Approved applicants will receive a detailed cost breakdown and time to decide whether to proceed. The program also covers at least 75% of relocation expenses during construction.

  Eligible property types may include multi-family real estate such as duplexes, triplexes, condos, townhomes, semi-detached homes, apartments, and manufactured homes.

  Eligible Construction Projects

  • Structure Elevation: Raising an existing structure above flood levels.
  • Mitigation Reconstruction: Demolishing an existing building and constructing a new, elevated, hazard-resistant structure in its place. This option is available when a structure is unsound for elevation.
  • Acquisition/Demolition: Purchasing and demolishing a structure, with the land maintained as open space by the local community.
  • Wind Mitigation: Strengthening a structure against wind damage by reinforcing roofs, windows, doors, and other vulnerable components. This option is available for homes that cannot be elevated.

  Program Benefits

  • Significant Cost Savings: Homeowners can save 75–100% on flood mitigation costs, making protection more affordable.
  • Lower Insurance Premiums: Strengthen property resilience and reduce flood insurance costs.
  • Increased Property Value: Enhance long-term property value with improved flood protection.
  • Comprehensive Support: Receive full assistance, including contractor services, temporary housing support, and ADA accommodations.

  We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to protect your home and strengthen your community’s resilience. For program inquiries or application assistance, visit the “Contact Us” page on the portal, email info@elevatefl.org, or call 877-ELEV8FL (877-353-8835) Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET. For TTY services, dial 711.

  For additional resources, including a Homeowner Guide and FAQs, please visit the Elevate Florida Portal.

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National Hurricane Center

TRAFFIC SIGNAL REMINDERS

TRAFFIC SIGNAL BLACKOUT—If all traffic signal lights are not working, treat the intersection as a four-way stop and observe the right-of-way rules.

FLASHING RED—A flashing red signal light means exactly the same as a stop sign: STOP! After stopping, proceed when safe and observe the right-of-way rules. Be careful as many times the opposite lanes of travel will have a flashing yellow light and are not required to stop.

FLASHING YELLOW—A flashing yellow signal light warns you to be careful. Slow down and be especially alert.

Keep 911 Lines Open for Emergencies

We completely understand that stress levels are high currently as we all await Hurricane Milton. We expect our 911 Communications Center will be VERY BUSY. 

If you need to speak to someone from LakelandPD but it is NOT an emergency call 863.834.6900. This line is manned by a team 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week. 

Polk County Government Florida has activated the Citizen's Information Line to answer Hurricane Milton-related questions Call (863) 298-7500 

Know that our team of 911 Communications Specialists are here to take your emergency calls before, during and after the storm. Many of these amazing professionals have been serving the Lakeland Community for more than 20 years! You are in GREAT hands! 

Please help us assist those who need it the most by calling 911 ONLY in LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

Generator Safety Tips

Widespread power outages are expected during Hurricane Milton. Portable generators are among the deadliest consumer products, emitting as much carbon monoxide as 450 cars—a colorless, odorless, DEADLY gas. 

Always Use Outdoors: Never run your generator inside your home, garage, or enclosed spaces. Keep it at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents.

Proper Ventilation: To prevent CO from entering your home, place the generator in a dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid placing it near doors, vents, or windows.

Install CO Detectors: Make sure your home has battery-operated or battery-backup carbon monoxide detectors. Test them regularly, especially when using a generator.

Never Refuel While Running: Turn off the generator and allow it to cool down before refueling. Spilled fuel on a hot engine can ignite and cause a fire.

Protect From Water: Keep your generator dry and off the ground. Use it under a canopy-like structure but away from where water can pool. Never touch the generator with wet hands.

Don't Backfeed Power: Only connect the generator directly to your home's electrical system if a qualified electrician has installed a transfer switch. Backfeeding can harm utility workers and damage your equipment.

Keep Extra Fuel Safely Stored: Store fuel in approved containers and away from living areas. Always keep it in a cool, well-ventilated area.

Turn Off When Not in Use: When you're away from home or going to sleep, always turn off the generator.