Milton Roundup: Sandbags, Debris Pickups, Missing Pets, Parks, More
As Lakeland recovers from Hurricane Milton, lots of announcements are being made about services related to the storm or facilities that are opening or still closed. Here is a roundup of recent news:
Sandbags: With flooding persisting, the city of Lakeland is offering sandbags at 315 N. Eastside Drive , which is southwest of the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Combee Road. The self-serve site is operating on a first-come, first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while supplies last.
Solid waste: Regular city of Lakeland schedules have resumed. Debris from Hurricane Milton is being picked up by both city trucks and FEMA contractors. Residents are asked to separate bulk pickups into separate piles for vegetation, construction materials, and appliances. Questions about bulk pickups? Call 863-834-TREE (8733).
Missing pets: Polk County Animal Control is looking for the owners of 44 dogs and 32 cats separated from their owners during Hurricane Milton; only two had microchips. They ask people who are missing their pets to visit their office at 7115 de Castro Road, Winter Haven, during business hours to check the photos they have of all the missing animals.
Parks: While many city of Lakeland and Polk County parks have reopened this week, quite a few larger recreation areas remain closed as cleanup progresses. Among those yet to reopen are Circle B Bar Reserve, Gator Creek Reserve, Lakeland Highland Scrub, Holloway Park, Dog Leg Woods, and Southwest Complex. Updated park lists: City of Lakeland | Polk County
Bonnet Springs Park: The park remains closed indefinitely; volunteers are sought to help with cleanup 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the weekend. Learn more. The two nonprofit organizations with facilities inside the park – Florida Children's Museum and The Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children's Resource Center – also remain closed; the museum is offering activites at satellite locations .
Roof protection: Operation Blue Roof is a free program that provides fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. Learn more and apply through Nov. 5 at blueroof.gov or 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258).
Food and water distribution by Polk County Emergency Services is coming to an end now that power is largely restored and stores have reopened. The last remaining site at Walker Road Park in Lakeland closes today. The Junior League of Greater Lakeland is distributing cases of water and ready-to-eat meals at their building at 90 Lake Morton Drive on Thursday from 1 p.m. until supplies run out.
Polk Parkway: Tolls remain suspended even though they have been reinstated on many of Florida's tollroads.
The Orange Cup Regatta, which had been scheduled to run this weekend on Lake Hollingsworth, has been canceled . The next one is scheduled for Oct. 18-19, 2025.
Campbell Road: Emergency repairs to Polk County's sewer lift station on West Campbell Road will keep the road closed for up to two weeks.
English Creek flooded several homes on Medulla Road; it's the first time homes there have flooded, a 52-year resident tells ABC Action News .
All Aboard Learning Station, a day-care center that sits between Kathleen Road and Bonnet Springs Park, is temporarily closed after its roof was ripped off during Hurricane Milton, News Channel 8 reported .
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