EMERGENCY ROUTES

The following Emergency Evacuation Bus Routes will run Wednesday in Winter Haven and Lakeland bringing evacuees to the terminal where they can be transported to a shelter.

Winter Haven
Routes will depart from the terminal
First route will depart the Winter Haven terminal at 6:45 a.m.
The last emergency route will depart the Winter Haven terminal at 2:45 p.m.
Lakeland
First route will depart the Lakeland terminal at 6:45 a.m.
The last emergency route will depart the Lakeland ter
All emergency transit services will be provided as long as weather permits.

LIMITED SCHEDULES

Pre-Storm Schedules

Post-Storm Schedules

Emergency Shelters

Special Needs Shelter

Residents with special needs, the elderly, and those without transportation require extra attention in order to stay safe during a disaster. Polk County has programs in place to help these residents prepare and find safe shelter.

Shelters

A special needs shelter is an emergency facility capable of providing special medical or nursing care which does not necessitate an acute care hospital setting. Eligible persons desiring special needs sheltering should pre-register with Emergency Management. A special needs shelter is a temporary emergency facility capable of providing care to residents whose medical condition may require the use of electrical equipment, oxygen, 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.

Transportation

If you need a ride to a shelter, regardless of special need status, arrangements will be made with Citrus Connection to pick you up and take you to your assigned shelter. If you are a special needs client, you will be asked about your transportation plans.

Eligibility

Polk residents are eligible at any age, who meet the any following conditions:

  • Activities of daily living are restricted by immobility that their basic needs must be met by others.
  • Needs assistance with the administration of their medications.
  • Requires dressing changes because of moderate/copious drainage (ulcers, fistulas)
  • Needs assistance with ostomy management, indwelling catheters (n/g tube, colostomy bags, etc.).
  • Requires daily assessment of medical condition by professional nursing personnel. (cardiac, diabetic).
  • Cardiac or respiratory conditions requiring electrical medical equipment - oxygen 3 liters or less, apnea monitors, nebulizers etc.
  • All others deemed necessary by triage nurse.

Persons who require evaluation and possible health care facility placement:

  • Persons in sudden acute medical or emergency condition.
  • Oxygen dependent persons requiring oxygen 4 liter flow and higher.
  • Bedridden persons and persons requiring a hospital type bed who, for medical reasons, cannot use cots for emergency bedding, and persons requiring Hoyer lift transfers.
  • Persons require continuous air conditioning for medical reasons.
  • Persons do not possess functional ambulation capability.
  • High risk pregnancy within four weeks of estimated date of delivery or in active labor. Normal pregnancy should get instructions from their obstetrician.

Registration

To register for a special needs shelter and/or transportation, select one of the following options:

Emergency Public Shelters

Not all public shelters are automatically activated for each emergency. They are opened as needed and are not pre-assigned by geographic area. During an emergency please monitor Polk County Government Television, other local television and radio stations for open shelter information. Have your 72-hour survival kit ready to take with you. Weapons and alcoholic beverages are not allowed at any public shelter.

Pet Friendly Shelter

Polk County has three pet-friendly shelters that allow residents who own pets to shelter with their pets. Pre-registration is strongly suggested to ensure you have a spot at the shelter and some limitations apply. ONLY dogs, cats and birds and their owners will be allowed to shelter in Polk’s pet-friendly shelters.