Polk County Tourism, Polk County Emergency Management and Publix Partner to Distribute 2011 Polk County Public Shelters Map

2011 Polk County Public Shelters Map now available (click on map below to see front and back)

Auburndale, FL (June 1, 2011) – Hurricane season begins its six-month run on June 1, 2011. In preparation, Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing and Polk County Emergency Management have once again partnered with Publix Super Markets to distribute the “Polk County Public Shelters” map for 2011. This emergency shelters map is designed to assist evacuees in finding shelter during an impending storm.

“In the event a hurricane threatens Central Florida, we will work closely with our accommodations partners to assess the supply of available accommodations. This information is critical in helping evacuees find available lodging. We want our guests to have a safe and pleasant experience, in spite of the circumstances,” said Mark Jackson, director of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing (PCTSM). PCTSM relays this vital information to Polk County Emergency Management (PCEM) and area lodging facilities. PCEM uses this data to decide when and where to open shelters, once area accommodations reach capacity. Evacuees can then be directed to open shelters using the “Polk County Public Shelters” map, which lists shelter locations on one side and directions to those shelters on the other. The map also provides sources of emergency information, including important telephone numbers, and recommendations on items to include in a “3-Day Survival Kit”.

The 2011 map includes 43 shelters, three of which are designated as “Special Needs Shelters”, for residents with medical or physical conditions that would require special assistance during an emergency. Pre-registration is recommended, by contacting Polk County Emergency Management at 863-534-5600. Three additional shelters have been designated as “Pet Friendly”, with pets being limited to dogs, cats and birds only. Specific requirements apply at “Pet Friendly” shelters, so it is advised to check those requirements in advance. It should be noted that not every shelter may be opened during a particular storm, so evacuees are advised to confirm that a specific shelter has been activated prior to going there.

The public shelters maps will be available at Publix Super Markets in Polk County; and at Polk County’s official visitor information center (Polk Outpost 27), located on Highway 27 in Davenport,
½ mile south of I-4. The new map, printed in orange, contains updated information for 2011. Residents are advised to discard older maps of other colors. Area lodging facilities, and chambers of commerce, have also received a supply of maps to keep on hand for distribution to evacuees in the event of a storm. In addition, the maps will be available at Polk County’s annual Hurricane Expo on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Winter Haven Orange Dome. To view a PDF of the 2011 Polk County Hurricane Shelter Map click here. A PDF copy of the map is also available online on the Polk County Emergency Management wesbite. For more information about the Hurricane Expo, visit www.polk-county.net/hurricaneexpo.

Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing is an initiative of the Central Florida Development Council, under the direction of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.

For more information, contact Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing at 863-420-2586 or at www.VisitCentralFlorida.org.

Contact: Kelly Rote
Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing
Kelly@VisitCentralFlorida.org
863-551-4707