Polk County Issues Mandatory Evacuation Ahead Of Irma

BARTOW, FL — As Hurricane Irma barreled on course toward Florida, the threat to Polk County climbed. With that in mind, the county issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents living in low-lying areas and mobile homes. The order went into place Saturday morning.

“Polk County residents who live in manufactured and mobile homes, or in areas of the county that historically are prone to flooding following heavy rains, should evacuate and take advantage of open shelters during Hurricane Irma,” an email from the county said. “The mandatory evacuation includes people who live in manufactured and mobile homes.”

By 5 a.m. Saturday, Irma, the beast that tore through the Caribbean, leaving at least 20 people dead in its wake, was packing maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Irma was located about 245 miles south-southeast of Miami, moving west-northwest at 12 mph. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Lakeland Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Analysis: There's No Way Around Irma's Wrath For Florida

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Hurricane and storm surge warnings were up Saturday morning along the west coast from the very tip of the peninsula through Chassahowitzka in Citrus County. Hurricane and storm surge warnings mean those conditions are anticipated within the warning area over the next 36 hours. Polk County, including Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven, were all in the hurricane warning area. Local flash flood watches are also in effect through Sept. 11.

Polk County officials say the following areas are among the most vulnerable to flooding:

• Itchepackesassa Creek, bordered by Deeson Road, the County Line, Ariana Street and Chestnut Street
• Gator Creek, in extreme northwest Polk bordered by the County Line on the north and west, Marcum Road on the south and Highway 33 on the east
• Lake Lowery’s northwest side of the lake
• Saddlebag Lake
• River Ranch

Polk County has opened multiple shelters to serve residents, including those with special needs and pets. More information about the shelters can be found on this related story: Polk County Adjusts Shelter List Ahead Of Hurricane Irma.

Polk County’s flood-prone areas are illustrated on the following map:

Main image via Shutterstock