Originally Posted: Aug. 2004
Last Update: May 2010
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The multiple hurricanes that ripped through central Florida in 2004 forced millions to evacuate, left thousands without power, many without homes and caused millions of dollars in damage. The serious level of destruction we saw from three major hurricanes that hit Polk County in 2004 caused many of us to rely on community services.
Here's the list we compiled during 2004 and have updated each year. It was compiled from various sources after Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne wrecked havoc on our community. This list includes places of help for those in need of disaster relief and spots where you can volunteer your time or donate funds to help your neighbors:
Please e-mail me with any inaccuracies in this list or any items we've omitted.
DISASTER RELIEF
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) or http://www.fema.gov.
- United Way of Central Florida: 648-1500.
- Florida Disaster Services: This Florida Emergency Management web site (floridadisaster.org) contains a wealth of information about both storm preparation and storm relief services that are available throughout the state.
- Florida Power and Light: 1-800-4-OUTAGE.
- Progress Energy and Florida Power: 1-800-228-8485.
- TECO Energy: 1-888-223-0800 or 1-863-223-0800.
- To report price gouging: 1-800-646-0444, 1-800-435-7352,
www.MyFlorida.com or www.myfloridalicense.com.
- To verify contractor licensure: 1-850-487-1395 or www.myfloridalicense.com.
- To report unlicensed activity: 1-850-488-6603.
- Unemployment compensation claims: 1-800-204-2418 or www.floridajobs.org.
- Florida Storm Damage Emergency Loan Assistance: 1-800-227-8676.
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Polk County Recovery Operations Center: 534-0321 or (toll free) 1-866-661-0228.
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Polk County Solid Waste: 284-4319.
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Emergency Info 24-hour hotline: 1-800-342-3557.
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Florida Dept. of Financial Services Hotline: (800) 227-8676.
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Veterans Benefits: The VA provides death benefits, pensions, insurance settlements and adjustments to home mortgages for veterans. Call 1-800-827-1000 or www.va.gov.
- Tax Refunds: The Internal Revenue Service allows certain casualty losses to be deducted on Federal income tax returns for the year of the loss or through an immediate amendment to the previous year's return. Call:
1-800-829-1040 for individual tax questions or 1-800-829-4933 for business tax questions or: www.irs.gov.
- Sand Bag Locations: The following is the list of fire stations where sand and sand bags have been provided in past years. Emergency Management said in 2010 that this is the latest lsit they have. If the situation arises and sand bags are needed, they will announce where sand bags can be picked up by the public. For more information concerning sand bags call 534-0321.
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CRYSTAL LAKE, STATION 7
2450 E MAIN ST
LAKELAND
863-499-2555
GOLFVIEW, STATION 10
2902 HWY. 60 E
LAKE WALES
863- 678-4017
HIGHLAND CITY, STATION 13
4101 CLUBHOUSE RD.
HIGHLAND CITY
863-648-3154
INDIAN LAKE ESTATES, STATION 14
20 HOGAN RD.
INDIAN LAKE ESTATES
863-679-4204
JAN PHYL, STATION 15
21 COLEMAN RD.
WINTER HAVEN
863-297-3041
POLK CITY, STATION 22
200 COMMONWEALTH BLVD.
POLK CITY
863-965-6379 |
PROVIDENCE, STATION 23
8936 HWY 98 NORTH
LAKELAND
863-853-6028
SOLIVITA, STATION 34
1201 CYPRESS PKWY
POINCIANA
863-427-2458
RIFLE RANGE, STATION 25
118 N RIFLE RANGE RD
WINTER HAVEN
863-298-7682
SUN AIR, STATION 26
400 WATKINS RD.
HAINES CITY
863-421-3365
SLEEPY HILL, STATION 24
3030 SLEEPY HILL RD.
LAKELAND
863-853-6029
WILLOW OAK, STATION 31
4210 WILLIS RD.
MULBERRY
863-701-1148 |
WEST LOUGHMAN, STATION 30
6525 COUNTY RD 54
WEST LOUGHMAN
863-421-3366
CALOOSA LAKE, STATION 6
4618 HWY 27 SOUTH
LAKE WALES
863-679-4200
BARTOW FIRE DEPT.
110 E CHURCH ST.
BARTOW
863-534-5044
HAINES CITY FIRE DEPT.
138 N 11TH STREET
HAINES CITY
863-421-3612
The following are not fire stations:
LAKE THOMAS
EAST LAKE WALES
SADDLE BAG LAKE ESTATES
HWY 60
EAST LAKE WALES
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Please e-mail me with any inaccuracies in this list or any items we've omitted.
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TO VOLUNTEER
- Salvation Army: Carol Alexander 682-8179, ext. 138.
- American Red Cross: 1-800-372-6563 or www.redcross.org.
Please e-mail me with any inaccuracies in this list or any items we've omitted.
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DONATIONS
- American Red Cross: State Volunteer and Donations 1-800-354-3571; 1-800-GIVE-NOW (or 1-800-448-3669).
Mail checks to the American Red Cross made out to: "Disaster Relief Fund for Polk County" or county of your choice- 147 Ave. A N.W. Winter Haven, FL. 33881.
- Mail checks to Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 928 Lakeland, FL 33802.
- United Way of Central Florida 5605 U.S. Highway 98 South, Highland City. Call 648-1515 for details.
- Donate online to help rebuild lives & communities at flahurricanefund.org.
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Please e-mail me with any inaccuracies in this list or any items we've omitted. | |