Tornado Recovery In Polk County Underway: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — Cleanup work, with neighbors helping neighbors, is underway after a tornado touched down in Polk County on Wednesday night. Debris, tree damage, broken windows and roof damage were caused by the powerful winds.

Homes in a neighborhood east of U.S. Highway 98 sustained damage, but no injuries were reported, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.

"We started going door to door on the various streets that run off Daughtery Road to check for safety, security and to make sure there were no injuries," Judd said at a news conference. "At this point in time, I am pleased to report to you that we received zero reports — no reports — of injury, even though there was significant damage."

Several agencies, along with the sheriff's office, jumped in, including Lakeland Electric, Polk County Emergency Management and Polk Fire Rescue to help assess damage and offer assistance.

Paul Womble, director of emergency management, said that Polk County Roadway Maintenance will be in the area throughout Thursday picking up the debris and trees. Lakeland Electric worked throughout the night to restore power quickly to homes that lost power.

County teams and the National Weather Service will be out assessing the level of damage on Thursday as well.

Womble said families that were affected by the tornado have been put in contact with the Red Cross, and he encouraged anyone who needed help from the agency to call 800-RED-CROSS (733-2767). The Red Cross will also be at the damage locations Thursday, according to Womble.

"Blessed that no one was hurt," Womble said. "Blessed that we work very well together, all the agencies here in Polk County. That's what we do, and it's really for our citizens and their benefit."

Judd put his deputies in the damaged neighborhoods to offer security from prowlers and warned that anyone who didn't live in the neighborhood who was caught on property would be arrested.