Tornado Cleanup Continues In Polk County

LAKELAND, FL — The cleanup continued Monday in Polk County after a tornado peeled the roof off Kathleen Middle School, damaged homes, shattered car windows and uprooted trees in the Kathleen area Friday night. The tornado also caused downed power lines and left some people without electricity but didn't cause any deaths or serious injuries.

“We are asking residents in the area to please move their debris to the roadside,” Polk County Manager Bill Beasley said on Monday. “If they can get that material to the road, we will pick it up.”

At one point cows could be seen grazing freely through a residential neighborhood following the tornado.

Polk County’s Roads and Drainage crews began removing tornado debris Monday in the Kathleen area northwest of Lakeland, according to county officials.

"All debris, whether building materials, vegetative, or appliances, will be collected and disposed of by county crews," Polk County officials said. "Most of the collection should occur within the next five days, but larger trees and items requiring specialized heavy equipment for removal, could take longer."

If tornado debris has not been picked up in your neighborhood by Friday, Oct. 25, call Polk County Roads and Drainage Division at 863-535-2200.

“With electrical service largely restored our crews should be able to expedite those removal services,” Beasley added.

Classes were canceled at Kathleen Middle School on Monday and Tuesday as a result of the tornado.

The National Weather Service said the strength of the tornado was between an EF-1 and EF-2, depending on the area involved and extent of damage.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd surveyed the damage on Saturday. He said many people were dealing with damage to their homes and property, some severe.

"Keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and if there is anything you can do to help your friends and neighbors, do it," Judd urged on Saturday.

The sheriff's office brought two crews of weekend work inmates to affected areas on Sunday to clear debris and assist with the removal of fallen trees in the areas of Mount Tabor Road and the Kathleen Middle School area.