IMPORTANT POST-STORM UPDATE: Shelters are closing as guests leave or are consolidated into other locations. See list below for closed or active status of each site.
We thank all of those who have been helping to keep our shelters available in response to Hurricane Milton.
With the passing of the storm, Polk County Public Schools is beginning to close shelter sites as guests leave or are consolidated into other locations.
The list below is a summary of which shelter sites are closed or remain active.
POLK COUNTY STORM SHELTERS FOR HURRICANE MILTON
- CLOSED - Auburndale High, 1 Bloodhound Trail, Auburndale
- CLOSED - Spessard Holland Elementary, 2432 E.F. Griffin Road, Bartow
- CLOSED - Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy, 1775 Sand Mine Road, Davenport
- CLOSED - Horizons Elementary, 1700 Forest Lake Dr., Davenport
- CLOSED - George Jenkins High, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland
- CLOSED - Highlands Grove Elementary, 4510 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland
- CLOSED - Kathleen High, 1100 Red Devil Way, Lakeland
- CLOSED - R. Bruce Wagner Elementary, 5500 Yates Road, Lakeland
- CLOSED - Sleepy Hill Elementary, 2285 Sleepy Hill Road, Lakeland
- CLOSED - Mulberry Middle, 500 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Mulberry
- CLOSED - Lake Marion Creek Middle, 3055 Lake Marion Creek Dr., Poinciana
- CLOSED - Chain of Lakes Elementary, 7001 Hwy. 653, Winter Haven
- CLOSED - Winter Haven High, 600 6th St. S.E., Winter Haven
Pet Shelters
Pet-friendly shelters allow residents who own pets to shelter with their pets. Only dogs, cats and birds and their owners will be allowed to shelter in Polk County’s pet-friendly shelters. All animals must be in a crate and vaccinations must be up-to-date. Proof of those vaccinations will need to be presented at the shelter.
IMPORTANT: Pet owners MUST bring:
- Shot records for their pet
- An airline-approved carrying case or crate
- Pet food
The three pet-friendly shelters are located at:
Special Needs Shelters
Special needs shelters are temporary emergency facilities capable of providing care to residents whose medical condition(s) may require the use of electrical equipment, oxygen or dialysis, or individuals with physical, cognitive or medical conditions who may require assistance from medical professionals.
Although special needs shelters provide more care than a general shelter, they do not provide the level of care found in a medical facility.
The Special Needs shelters are located at: