City News

Gas is starting to be delivered from the Port of Tampa.  It is impossible to provide an ongoing list of stations that have gas, but the good news – gas is being delivered.

At the peak Lakeland Electric had approximately 85,000 customers without power. Power has been restored to over half of those customers in just one day. As of 9 a.m. this morning, 38,000 customers are without power. Due to the extensive wind and flood damage, it is estimated that power restoration will take at least seven days to get all customers online.

As of this morning, there are approximately 85,000 Lakeland Electric customers without power. Our teams have been mobilized and crews have already started restoration efforts so that number will start to go down as the day progresses. 

There are over 400 personnel in the field restoring power, this includes over 300 mutual aid workers who are here from Louisiana, Texas and other Florida municipal utilities. Thank you to our line works, our mutual aid teams and all those behind the scenes that help with power restoration.  The Customer Service Call Center is open. Lakeland Electric customers should call (863) 834-9535 to report electric emergencies and downed lines. The smart meter system automatically reports power outages to Lakeland Electric. Customers can monitor their outage by visiting https://lakelandelectric.com/outagemap.

The City of Lakeland’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has been activated.  The EOC is where essential staff monitors and tracks potential damage, power outages, down trees, flooding and emergency situations so hurricane restoration efforts can be mobilized efficiently once winds fall below 40 mph.

City offices and facilities will be closed to the public on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10 in preparation of Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton is now a Category 4 Hurricane with sustained winds over 150 mph.  The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 5-category rating system used to measure the strength of a hurricane and estimate the potential damage it may cause:

• Category 1: Winds of 74–95 mph, causing minimal damage
• Category 2: Winds of 96–110 mph, causing moderate damage
• Category 3: Winds of 111–129 mph, causing extensive damage
• Category 4: Winds of 130–156 mph, causing devastating damage
• Category 5: Winds of 157+ mph, causing catastrophic damage

Hurricane Milton has increased intensity and is now a Category 5 Hurricane with sustained winds over 160mp.  The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 5-category rating system used to measure the strength of a hurricane and estimate the potential damage it may cause:

• Category 1: Winds of 74–95 mph, causing minimal damage
• Category 2: Winds of 96–110 mph, causing moderate damage
• Category 3: Winds of 111–129 mph, causing extensive damage
• Category 4: Winds of 130–156 mph, causing devastating damage
• Category 5: Winds of 157+ mph, causing catastrophic damage

LAKELAND, FL (October 4, 2024)  | The City of Lakeland Water Utilities Department has been made aware of a recent social media post. The post claims that an individual attempted to enter a home while posing as a City of Lakeland Water Utilities employee, supposedly to perform water quality sampling.

**********UPDATE**********   The Lakeland Police Department has begun accepting applications for the position of Police Officer! Applications can be accessed through the below link:   https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lakelandfl/jobs/4661494/police-officer-certified-law-enforcement   Correction for the Application Deadline: The posting will close after the receipt of ...

LAKELAND, FL (October 3, 2024) | On Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. there will be a ceremony celebrating all veterans at Veterans Memorial Park located at 701 West Lime Street. Guest speaker Stephanie Colon will address the audience and honor military families.  She is an Air Force wife, mother, businesswoman, community leader and patriot.

Lakeland, FL - (October 1, 2024) - The Lakeland Police Department is proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens to dispose of unwanted, unneeded, and expired human and pet medications in a safe manner.   National Pre ...