Polk State will be closed through Wednesday due to Hurricane Dorian

UPDATE 10 A.M. TUESDAY: Polk State Soccer’s game against Laramie County Community College that was scheduled for Sunday, September 8, has been cancelled.

UPDATE 7:30 P.M. SATURDAY: Hurricane Dorian’s track continues to shift to the east which lessens the impact to Central Florida. However, the cone of uncertainty is still very wide and all residents should continue to watch local weather advisories and should be prepared for high winds and heavy rain. The College will remain closed through Wednesday, September 4. Updates will be posted to polk.edu and the College’s social media accounts.

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Polk State College and its collegiate high schools will be closed Saturday, August 31, through Wednesday, September 4, due to Hurricane Dorian. The College will continue to provide updates regarding the storm, closure, and event schedules on polk.edu.

The Cameras for the Cause gallery reception will take place Friday, August 30, at 6 p.m. in the Winter Haven Fine Arts Gallery. The soccer scrimmage scheduled for Saturday morning on the Lakeland Campus has been canceled. Volleyball’s game against Miami Dade College that was scheduled for Friday night has been canceled as well as Polk State Softball’s Family & Alumni BBQ that was scheduled for Saturday.

As of 2 p.m. Friday, Hurricane Dorian is a Category 3 with sustained winds of 115 mph, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The storm continues to move northwest at 10 mph.

Hurricane-force winds could reach Florida’s east coast and peninsula early next week, although it is too soon to determine where the strongest winds will occur. Regardless of the exact track of Dorian, heavy rains are expected to occur over portions of Florida and the southeastern U.S. this weekend through the middle of next week.

Polk State urges students, faculty, staff, and families to be prepared for the storm, which could reach Central Florida by early Tuesday morning.

Before the storm

It is important to prepare. The National Hurricane Center recommends:

Water: At least 1 gallon of water per person and animal per day for at least three days

Food: At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food with a manual can opener to open canned foods

Radio: A battery-powered radio and extra batteries

Flashlight: With extra batteries

Cell phone: Make sure to have extra battery packs or a solar charger

Important documents: IDs and insurance policies should be protected

Prescription medications

First-aid kit

Cash

Gas in vehicle

Polk State also encourages everyone to utilize Polk County Emergency Management and Florida Division of Emergency Management’s emergency plans, contacts, evacuation routes, supply-kit checklists, and other resources to assist with preparations.

During the storm

Do not go outside, even during the eye of the storm. Continue to monitor news and weather.

After the storm

Remember – many injuries and fatalities take place in the aftermath of a storm. Polk State employees should not return to the College unless requested by a supervisor. Students and employees should continue to check local media for reopening information.

The American Red Cross recommends:

Staying alert for extended rain and subsequent flooding

Driving only if necessary and avoiding flooded roads

Staying away from loose or dangling power lines and reporting them immediately to a power company

Listening to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) and local news for updates

The College will also provide updates and available resources on polk.edu. Additionally, United Way’s 211 is a comprehensive source of services, including emergency information and disaster relief.