2025 Hurricane Season: Polk County residents can sign up for these local alerts before storms
It's here. The 2025 hurricane season arrived June 1 with many Polk County residents still recovering from last year.
Forecasters with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have predicted 13 to 19 named storms, meaning those with wind speeds at 39 mph or higher. Of those, six to 10 are predicted to become hurricanes, with three to five being major hurricanes at a Category 3 or higher.
If Polk residents learned anything last year, it's that staying informed of the latest storm development and being prepared in advance are critical. Hurricane Milton led to unprecedented flooding that required residents to act swiftly for their families' safety.
Residents should make sure they are signed up for their cities' and county's local alert system heading into hurricane season. It will provide the latest information leading up to a storm on when sandbag sites are open, if shelters open and what the impact is post storm.
The Ledger has compiled this list for residents to sign up for alerts from their local governments:
Polk residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Polk, the county's local alert system, which sends out emergency notifications and follow on social media accounts
Sign up online for AlertPolk, which offers options for what alerts you'd like to receive and language options, including Spanish.
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/polkcountyem
Follow on Instagram: @polkcountygovfl
Follow on X: @polkemergency
Some cities in Polk have their own localized emergency alert systems or social media pages that are updated in case of a hurricane.
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/auburndalegov
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/auburndalefl, or @auburndalefl.
City's main website: www.cityofbartow.net/
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bartowfloridacity
City's main website: www.mydavenport.org
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mydavenportfl
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mydavenportfl or @mydavenportfl
City's website: townofdundee.com
Hurricane Preparedness Fair: June 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dundee Main Street Center, 310 Main St.
City's website: www.eaglelakefl.gov
City's website: www.cityoffortmeade.com
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cityoffortmeade
City website: www.cityoffrostproof.com
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CityofFrostproofFL
Sign up for the city notification system: www.hainescity.com/list.aspx
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hainescity
Will push notifications on Nextdoor
City's website: www.mylakealfred.com
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mylakealfred
City's website: www.lakewalesfl.gov
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CityOfLakeWalesFlorida
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cityoflakewales or @cityoflakewales
Follow on X: x.com/CityofLakeWales
City's website: lakelandgov.net
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LakelandGov
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/lakelandgov or @lakelandgov
Sign up for text alerts: Text "Mulberry" to 866-382-3671
City's website: www.cityofmulberryfl.org
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cityofmulberryfl
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cityofmulberryfl or @cityofmulberryfl
Sign up for emergency notifications: www.mywinterhaven.com/list.asp (and if you are having difficulties, here's the how-to video).
Download Winter Haven Public Safety App for free and enable push notifications
City's website: www.mywinterhaven.com
Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/winterhavenflorida
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cityofwinterhaven or @cityofwinterhaven
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 2025 Hurricane Season: Sign up for local Polk County alerts
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