The Disaster Recovery Centers in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Hernando, Polk and Suwannee counties will be closed on Sundays starting Sunday, Nov. 17.

​Center locations:
Citrus County
West Citrus Community Center
8940 W. Veterans Drive
Homosassa, FL 34448
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Columbia County
Lake City Reporter
180 E. Duval St.
Lake City, FL 32055
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Dixie County
Old Town Education Center
841 SE 349 Highway
Old Town, FL 32680
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Hernando County
West Hernando Branch Library
6335 Blackbird Ave.
Brooksville, FL 34613
Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
 
Polk County
UF/IFAS Extension Office-W.H. Stuart Center
1710 US-17 S
Bartow, FL 33830
Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
 
Suwannee County
Hale Park
215 Duval St. NE
Live Oak, FL 32064
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday

To find other center locations go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.

Survivors do not need to visit a center to apply for assistance. Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

As of November 14, 2024, hurricane debris haulers, Ashbritt, LLC, have collected 384,560 total cubic yards of debris from Hurricane Milton.
 
“Polk County spans more than 2,000 square miles, so there’s a lot of ground to cover,” said Michel Teate, Polk County’s Roads and Drainage Manager. “We urge residents to have hurricane debris curbside, by Dec. 1. Otherwise, debris may not be picked up.”
 
Polk County residents must have hurricane debris separated into categories and placed curbside no later than Sunday, Dec. 1. Residents should separate debris into the following categories: Vegetative debris, construction and demolition, appliances and white goods, electronics and household hazardous waste.
 
Residents may continue utilizing drop-off sites through Dec. 1; after that they will close. Additionally, the North Central Transfer Station will no longer accept hurricane-related debris at no cost after close of business on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 12:30 p.m. For locations and hours please visit: www.polk-county.net/news/hurricane-milton-debris-pickup-and-dropoff-options/.
 
“I know residents are anxious to have their debris removed, but there are still parts of the county that Hurricane Milton left inaccessible.” said John Bohde, Deputy County Manager.
 
Residents are reminded that the hauling equipment that picks up the debris cannot navigate under overhead power lines, low-hanging tree branches or piles that are too close to mailboxes, tree trunks, fences or other permanent objects. If cars are parked in front of hurricane debris, haulers cannot collect your debris pile.
 
“We set an ambitious goal to have debris removal completed by November, and the reality is, it is looking more like December,” said Bohde. “As haulers continue collecting debris throughout the county, we ask for your patience. Please know that your hurricane debris will be collected.”
 
The Polk County Hurricane Milton Debris Removal Dashboard provides updated information about where crews are working in the county: https://tt-emi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/ac42fa5c4bfb475d966d19dbf575bf2f.In early December, the dashboard will transition and allow residents to see the areas where debris collection has been completed.

Aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Polk County was originally scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 25-27; due to delays, spraying is scheduled to begin tonight at 8 p.m. and stop Thursday morning. There will be no aerial spraying for mosquitoes on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31. Due to the acreage being covered, it is necessary to spray multiple days. Spraying will resume the night of Friday, Nov.1.
 
Spraying is scheduled from dusk to dawn; approximately 8 p.m. through 5 a.m., while most residents are indoors.
 
The decision for aerial spraying was made due to the overwhelming increase in the mosquito population, with the advisement of county health officials and in direct response to residents’ recent requests. Residents may notice low-flying aircraft applying a low volume of insecticides approved for mosquito control.
 
Should you have any questions or concerns about aerial spraying, please contact Polk County Mosquito Control at (863) 534-7377.

​While most of Polk County’s parks and boat ramps have reopened following Hurricane Milton, some areas remain closed to the public or have limited access. Sections of environmental lands and stormwater sites may still be wet or underwater.
 
Opening:

• Bone Valley ATV Park
  The park will operate on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and 27, during regular winter business hours. Bone Valley ATV Park will not be open on Friday, Oct. 24, and Monday, Oct. 28.
• Homeland Heritage Park and Walker Road Park will open on Friday, Oct. 24.

 
The following environmental lands sites will remain closed until further notice:

• Circle B Bar Reserve
• Gator Creek Reserve
• Lake Hancock Boat Ramp
• Panther Point Trail
• Peace River Canoe Launch
• Rolling Hills Park
• Simmers-Young Dog Park (the rest of the park, except for the north side, is open)

 
The following parks are hurricane debris collection sites and will remain closed for public safety until further notice:

• Highland City Senior Field (Strickland Pit) – (Public Debris Collection Site)
• Loyce E. Harpe Park (Regional Debris Collection Site)
• North side of Simmers-Young Park (Regional Debris Collection Site)

 
If you have questions about these closures, contact Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources Division at (863) 534-7377.

Flooding along the edge of Lake Seward has severely damaged homes and prevented access to others. In coordination with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Polk County has put a plan in place to direct water away from Lake Seward to Banana Lake, ultimately flowing into Lake Hancock. 
 
The Lake Seward Flood Relief Plan consists of the following:
 

• Installation of piping through an existing easement on the northwest edge of Lake Seward to a connection point on Tillery Road.

 

• Construction by experienced licensed contractors of temporary conveyance piping to pump water north along Tillery Road to its intersection with Clubhouse Road.

 

• Additional piping and use of existing conveyance systems would then move that water to the county's pond/holding basin near Elizabeth Place, just north of Clubhouse Road.

 

• That water can then flow through a control structure northward into Banana Lake.

 

• Ultimately, that water will drain through the Banana Lake system, under U.S. Highway 98 and into Lake Hancock.

 

• Once water reaches Lake Hancock it becomes part of the larger volumes of the Lake and will ultimately flow through the P-11 control structure into Saddle Creek and beyond into the Peace River.

 
Pumping is expected to move water off Lake Seward and should provide relief to the residents who are currently flooded, or otherwise are unable to safely reach their homes.

​Due to a surge in the mosquito population from flooding caused by Hurricane Milton, Polk County Mosquito Control is working with the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services to help abate mosquitoes.
 
Aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Polk County has been scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 25 -27, 2024, or thereafter, weather permitting. Spraying is scheduled from dusk to dawn; approximately 8 p.m. through 5 a.m. while most residents are indoors.
 
The decision for aerial spraying was made due to the overwhelming increase in the mosquito population, with the advisement of county health officials and in direct response to residents’ recent requests. Residents may notice low-flying aircraft applying insecticides approved for mosquito control.
 
Should you have any questions or concerns about aerial spraying please contact Polk County Mosquito Control at (863) 534-7377.

​Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews are currently visiting Polk County neighborhoods.
 
DSA specialists are going door-to-door in affected neighborhoods to help people apply for federal assistance, check the status of an application, identify potential needs and make connections with organizations that can provide resources.
 
DSA specialists carry federal photo identification. DSA crews never ask for or accept money.
 
Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at (800) 621-3362.
 
FEMA is increasing staff at call centers but wait times may be long due to increased call volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

While locally run emergency shelters have ceased operations, a state-run shelter remains open to help residents. The State of Florida warehouse is located at 660 C Fred Jones Blvd. in Auburndale. The shelter is open to the general population and their pets, who were displaced by Hurricane Milton.
 
As Polk County's Hurricane Milton recovery efforts continue and more resources become available to assist residents, check out https://www.polk-county.net/hurricane-milton-recovery-resources-in-polk/ for the most up-to-date information.

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 Nov. 5 by visiting blueroof.gov, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or visiting a Right of Entry (ROE) collection.
 
ROE collection center locations are listed on blueroof.gov, and these are sites where residents can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using an ROE form, which gathers information about the residence.
 
This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs.

​Polk County’s Walker Road food and water distribution site (1035 Walker Rd., Lakeland) will cease operations tomorrow, Oct. 16. The site will shut down at 6 p.m. today and reopen at 8 a.m. tomorrow, but it will cease operations once supplies are exhausted. This will likely occur before the standard 6 p.m. closing time.
 
The site is ceasing operations because power has been largely restored and stores have reopened.
 
For more information, please call the Citizens Information Line at (863) 298-7500 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.