POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Hurricane Milton's strong, damaging winds are a major concern in Polk County. People who live in mobile homes are being urged to evacuate, as they are the most vulnerable to the winds.
Felix Atkinson recently upgraded his mobile home, and now he's bracing for potential damage from Hurricane Milton.
“Eight months ago, we just put cabinets in here, I mean it's crazy," Atkinson said.
Atkinson is heeding the warning to evacuate.
"I purchased a room at one of the motels here in town. It's just for a couple of days, but if need to I can always step up and tell them that I need it for more days, which I hope doesn't happen," Atkinson said.
As he prepares for the intense storm, Atkinson feels compassion for those who have yet to recover from Hurricane Helene.
"My heart, it really goes out to those people that been affected by Helene," Atkinson said.
While Polk County was spared from Helene officials said Hurricane Milton will be a different story.
"First and foremost is the hurricane force damaging winds. Those strong winds will knock down trees, which will bring down powerlines. Anticipate damage to structures, anticipate power outages widespread through this county, which could last for days," said Paul Womble, Polk County's Emergency Management Director.
Residents who live in mobile homes that may not survive hurricane winds are able to evacuate to 19 Polk County shelters.
Special needs shelters will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, and the general population and pet-friendly shelters will open at noon.
For more Polk County Emergency Management information, you can call the Citizen’s Information Line at (863) 298-7500.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
