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(27) stories found containing 'hurricane ian'


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  • Crooked Lake Park's Sunshine Drive to be Closed for at Least Two Months

    News Staff REports|Updated Dec 1, 2023

    Construction of a new sewer main and lift station will require the closure of Sunshine Drive in the Crooked Lake Park neighborhood south of Lake Wales for two months starting Monday, December 4. Sunshine Drive will be closed to through traffic at the intersection with U.S. Highway 27. Sunshine Drive residents can access their homes via connecting crossroads from First Avenue North. Minor backups and delays at the First Avenue North and U.S. Highway 27 intersection are possible...

  • Potential Tropical System Impact Becomes More Likely for Region

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Aug 24, 2023

    The possibility of a tropical storm or hurricane impacting Florida and potentially threatening the Lake Wales area is increasing as models are indicating the potential development of a new system in the western Caribbean. If the system strengthens, it would likely move near the western tip of Cuba before entering the Gulf of Mexico and approaching the west coast of Florida. The waters of both the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico are far warmer than historic records, potentially...

  • Hurricane Season Remains Quiet Despite Predictions

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Aug 10, 2023

    As the 19th anniversary of the devasting impact of Hurricane Charley approaches on August 13, many Ridge area residents turn a wary eye on the tropics. Despite "super-heated" waters in most of the Atlantic basin the 2023 hurricane season has, so far, remained a no-show. A global weather shift may be the cause. A phenomenon called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or PDO, features alternating waves of colder or warmer waters in the eastern Pacific. It has huge influence on...

  • Weather Pattern Finally Changes, Opens Door to Rains, Tropical Development

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Aug 5, 2023

    After a sputtering start to the expected summer rainy season, a wetter pattern may soon take hold over the Lake Wales Ridge area, but it could open the door for a busier Hurricane season as well. The deadly "heat dome" that has baked much of the nation and lingered for months was caused by a static pattern of mid-level winds that is finally breaking down. The unusual atmospheric traffic-jam in the west-to-east flow of weather has caused Florida to fall under a regime of strong...

  • Stormwater Management A Major Challenge for Many Local Governments

    NAPSI|Updated May 9, 2023

    It's raining hard. You need to get to an important appointment. You're halfway to your destination when you hit a roadblock. The intersection is flooded, wind gusts have downed electrical wires and there's no end in sight. You have no choice but to return home, where there's no electricity. Scenarios like this-and much worse-are playing out in communities around the country. Climate change is causing more destructive conditions nationwide, turning every street into a...

  • Central Florida and the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian - How Lake Wales Can Prepare for the 2023 Storm Season

    Jackie Edwards|Updated Jan 20, 2023

    Hurricane Ian is estimated to have caused more than $60 billion in private insured losses in Florida, effectively making it the second-largest disaster loss event on record, according to the industry trade group Insurance Information Institute. While Lake Wales residents dodged a bullet when it came to the severity of the late 2022 hurricane, many throughout Polk County still felt the impact. From how Ian has shed a light on hurricane preparation to what Lake Wales residents...

  • Polk Yard Waste Collection Still Not Complete Months After Hurricane Ian

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Dec 12, 2022

    Almost 10 weeks after Hurricane Ian struck Polk County on September 28, large piles of storm debris remain piled along some Polk County roads. Despite complaints, some residents' frustrations are turning to anger directed at the county. While cities have move promptly to remove the heaps of limbs and branches, Polk County has struggled to maintain service for residents. During the same time frame a break-down in service for even normal household waste resulted in the Polk...

  • Care Center to Renovate Crystal Lake Apartments After Purchase Finalized

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Dec 12, 2022

    The historic Crystal Lake will Apartments at 282 East Park Avenue are expected to undergo extensive remodeling and exterior refurbishment after their purchase by the Lake Wales Care Center. The 100-year-old building has been vacant for about three years. The purchase price was discounted to $340,000, according to Antonio Spagnolo of Bright Trust Realty, in recognition of some damage caused during the passage of Hurricane Ian in September. Both the purchase price and the...

  • County Declares Emergency Over Garbage Collection Problems

    News Staff Reports|Updated Nov 24, 2022

    Frustration among Polk County residents in the Lake Wales area spread this week to include the Board of County Commissioners, who have been deluged with complaints from residents about missed collections of trash. The issue is only compounded by the mountains of yard waste still remaining on area streets in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in early October. County Commissioner Bill Braswell introduced the motion to declare an emergency after hearing complaints of up to...

  • Sub-Tropical Storm Nicole Promises Much Wind, Rain for Lake Wales

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 8, 2022

    The approach of Storm Nicole has many Lake Wales area residents on edge, but this system is unlikely to be much like what we would normally expect from a hurricane.. As a "sub-tropical" storm Nicole has a much different structure, and the location of the exact center of the system will make little or no difference in regards to impacts. Sub-tropical storms typically lack the intense inner core and eye-wall structure found in hurricanes, instead dispersing their intensity over...

  • Forecasters Eyeing Potential Development in Bahama Waters

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Nov 4, 2022

    Despite the arrival of dry autumn-like weather, unseasonable warmth has left the door open for possible tropical storm development, and forecasters are now keeping an eye on the potential for a rainy, windy spell for the state of Florida. For several days long-range weather models have been depicting a new low forming over the northeastern Caribbean and south-west Atlantic before drifting over the Bahamas and approaching the east coast of Florida. That path alone would make...

  • Polk's Disaster Recovery Center Now Open to Assist Residents

    Special to the News|Updated Nov 4, 2022

    Polk County's Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open and ready to provide assistance with FEMA applicant services, SBA, Housing, Department of Children and Family, and Hazard Mitigation. Residents applying for disaster assistance caused by Hurricane Ian must have this information available when applying: •Your address with zip code •Condition of your damaged home •Insurance information, if available •Social Security number •Phone number where you can be contacted •Address...

  • Federal Disaster Assistance Available for Storm Damage Losses Through Small Business Administration

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 19, 2022

    Lake Wales area homeowners and business owners are eligible for Federal disaster relief following a declaration of disaster by President Joe Biden. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is preparing to render federal disaster assistance as quickly as possible to Polk County's small business owners and critical disaster relief to homeowners. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners...

  • Polk Waste Collectors Working 12-Hour Days to Handle Hurricane Debris

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 19, 2022

    Polk County's contracted debris haulers have been working seven days a week, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., since Oct. 3 to clean up Hurricane Ian's debris. In 15 days of cleanup, AshBritt's haulers have transported 6,745 loads to debris management sites, according to Polk County officials. So far, 75,000 tons (301,234 cubic yards) of debris has been recorded. Currently, with approximately 100 units on the road in Polk County each day, haulers are collecting between 21,000 and 24,000 c...

  • Lake Wales Area "Dodges a Bullet" As Hurricane Ian Passes

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Oct 14, 2022

    Downed trees, power outages, and significant flooding were the primary impacts of Hurricane Ian locally. No deaths or injuries were reported to local authorities. The storm weakened enough on its trip inland that it had weakened to a Category One hurricane by the time it made its closest approach. A limited number of buildings sustained wind damage, but it was largely limited to screen enclosures, fences, sheds, and mostly minor roof damage. More than 21 inches of rain was rec...

  • Hurricane Debris Hotline Available

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 8, 2022

    Polk County residents with questions regarding hurricane debris are advised to call the Hurricane Ian Debris Hotline at (800) 375-0844. This is the only number that will be able to provide answers for all debris-related questions. Polk County's Waste & Recycling Division does not collect and dispose of debris from hurricanes. Your typical residential garbage, recycling, yard and bulk waste will need to be placed curbside separate from hurricane debris Residents are urged to...

  • President Biden's Disaster Declaration Extends Help to Polk

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Oct 8, 2022

    Individuals in Polk County can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance for home repairs, lost and damaged property, food assistance, and more. according to a statement issued by the office of Congressman Darren Soto, who represents the Lake Wales area. Soto recently welcomed FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell "to assess damages and thank our first responders for their continued rescue and recovery efforts," he said. Soto expressed gratitude "for our first responders, who have...

  • Warner University Unveils New Campus Safety Smartphone App

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 6, 2022

    Last year school shootings rose to the highest number in two decades. but according to the U.S. Department of Education, the most reported crimes on college campuses are burglaries, sexual harassment and motor vehicle thefts, Now more than ever, it's important for schools to use the best tools available to help keep campus safe. In response, Warner University and 911Cellular have launched a new smart phone app called "WarnerShield," designed to protect students and staff...

  • Free Legal Hotline in English and Spanish Available to Hurricane Victims

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 5, 2022

    A free legal help hotline is now available for Hurricane Ian victims in the affected counties that include Polk. The hotline is available to connect residents to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Residents can call (866) 550-2929 or go to https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/disaster/resources/disaster_legal_hotlines/. Hotline callers may get help with legal issues like: ● FEMA and SBA financial benefits ● Home repair contracts...

  • Several Polk Environmental Lands Sites Reopen to the Public

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 5, 2022

    Several Polk County Environmental Lands sites have reopened to the public following Hurricane Ian, including Crooked Lake Prairie, Crooked Lake Sandhill, Gator Creek Reserve, Hickory Lake Scrub, Lakeland Highlands Scrub, Sherwood L. Stokes Preserve and SUMICA. While these sites are open, visitors are advised to use caution and follow the posted trail closures. Sections of trails may be under water and portions of trails may be closed, due to excessive downed trees and debris....

  • Despite Dry, Fall-like Weather, Gun-Shy Residents Keep Eye on Tropics

    Tom Palulson, City Editor|Updated Oct 2, 2022

    Unwilling to relax and call it a season, some Florida residents are keeping a close eye on the tropics as some models show a continuing parade of tropical waves moving off Africa and marching across the Atlantic. Unusually warm water temperatures across the basin are continuing to sustain the potential for development. The Lake Wales area has enjoyed delightful fall-like weather in the aftermath of the passage of Hurricane Ian, which brought up to two feet of rain and high...

  • WEDNESDAY 5:00 PM UPDATE: IAN CARRIES 140 MPH WINDS AS IT HEADS TOWARD LAKE WALES AFTER LANDFALL

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Oct 1, 2022

    WEDNESDAY 5:00 PM UPDATE: NOAA Doppler radar imagery indicates that the eye of Ian has made landfall on the mainland southwest Florida peninsula just south of Punta Gorda near Pirate Harbor. Maximum sustained winds at landfall were estimated to be 145 mph (235 km/h). They are now estimated to be 140 mph. A WeatherSTEM station at the Cape Coral Fire Department recently reported a wind gust of 110 mph (177 km/h). A WeatherFlow station in Grove City on the western side of...

  • TUESDAY 8:00 PM UPDATE - Hurricane Ian Predicted to Strike Lake Wales

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 28, 2022

    TUESDAY 8:00 PM UPDATE: Hurricane Ian has continued to deepen as it moves toward Florida and model trends continue to shift the track toward the east, bringing the center of circulation over Polk County. Lake Wales is expected to be exposed to winds of up to 100 MPH sustained, with higher gusts. There is also an enhanced chance of tornados in this area. For the latest information on expected impacts to the Lake Wales area, please RETURN TO HOME PAGE The 5:00 Advisory from the...

  • Lake Wales Area Expected to Experience Direct Impact of Hurricane Ian

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Sep 28, 2022

    UPDATE: Hurricane Ian has continued its trek toward Florida, now with 125 MPH winds. Further intensification is expected during the next 24 hours. The storm is now a Category Three, and is projected to reach Category Four status today. For the latest information on expected impacts to the Lake Wales area, please RETURN TO HOME PAGE Projections from the NHC depict that Ian will remain a Major Hurricane as it moves over the west central coast of Florida. Ian is now on a northerl...

  • Hurricane Ian Closes All Polk Environmental Lands Closed Effective Monday

    Special to the News|Updated Sep 26, 2022

    In preparation for the approaching storm, all Polk County Environmental Lands sites and Natural Resources Stormwater Treatment Wetlands will be closed Monday, September 26, 2022 out of an abundance of caution and will remain closed until further notice. These sites include Circle B Bar Reserve, Crooked Lake Prairie, Crooked Lake Sandhill, Gator Creek Reserve, Hickory Lake Scrub, Lakeland Highlands Scrub, Marshall Hampton Reserve, North Walk-in-Water Creek, Peace River...

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