Polk storm history

The highest wind reported in Polk County was a gust to 78 mph in Bartow at 1:58 AM EST on September 29. Rainfall generally ranged from 6 to 12 inches, with a maximum total of 12 inches reported in Frostproof. The Peace River in Bartow reached its third highest level on record at …

In Polk County, the highest wind reported from Hurricane Irma was a gust to 75 knots at the APRS station AR663 near Bartow. Rainfall was generally around 6 inches or greater, with the highest rain total being 17.61 inches at the CWOP station E1114 in Davenport. The wind resulted …

A 16 year old boy was loading a trailer outside his home when it started to rain on the 7th. The boy went to cover a dirt bike under an oak tree when his mother heard a loud boom and found him unconscious. The boy was taken to a hospital where he died on the 11th.

A car driving southbound on Lake Shipp Drive near the intersection with Ridge Avenue hydroplaned around 6:40 pm EDT on the 24th and hit another vehicle. A third vehicle was unable to stop in time, and struck the second vehicle. The passenger in the first vehicle, a 23 year old wo…

Record high temperatures were felt for four days in a row from October 8th through October 11th at the Lakeland Linder Airport. The high temperature was 95 degrees each afternoon from the 8th through the 10th and 94 degrees on the 11th. This record heat combined with afternoon de…

Lightning struck in a soccer field as a church group was in the midst of a game and nearby picnic. This strike was a bolt from the blue as there was no rain in the immediate area. Radar detected the core of the storm to be six miles to the south of the location. Eighteen victims …

A controlled burn from the previous afternoon was still producing smoke as patches of dense fog began to develop around 4AM. The smoke and fog interacted to produce super-fog in about a 2 mile area encompassing Interstate 4 near Polk City between US 27 and the Polk Parkway. The s…

One man was killed and another injured when they were struck by lightning while standing under a 30 foot oak tree. The injured man suffered from numbness to his right arm and leg and had burns on the bottom of his feet.

The combination of dense fog and smoke from nearby wildfires reduced visibilities to near zero along Interstate 4, between U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 557, over extreme northeast Polk county. One fatality occurred in a multiple vehicle accident along Interstate 4, two miles we…

Two men were killed, aged 43 and 37, while standing under a tree that was struck by lightning at the Huntington Hills Golf Club in North Lakeland. The lightning strike occurred near a grove of eight trees near the 12th hole of the golf course. Light rain had been falling prior to…

Under partial sunshine, sideflash from a lightning bolt of a distant thunderstorm struck and killed a 47 year old male, injured a 27 year old male and a 20 year female while they stood within 15 feet of a seven foot tall wooden pole on the 300 block of West Fussell Road north of …

A thunderstorm moved into the area as a high school football game was being played. People saught shelter under tents, and one tent was struck by lightning. Nine people were injured from the strike, with three of them being hospitalized. One of the men hospitalized was unconsciou…

Thunderstorm winds tore the roof off the porch and kitchen of a home near U.S. Highway 98 and Rockridge Road.

A wildfire started on the 15th, and quickly spread due to dry conditions and breezy winds. The fire caused 500 homes to be evacuated on the evening of the 15th, and Highways 630 and 60 were temporarily closed. The fire eventually burned 5500 acres around Indian Lake Estates and R…

June rainfall of 14 to 18 inches in eastern Polk County had increased lake water levels from Lake Wales to Frostproof. The water levels were already high after three hurricanes moved over the area in 2004. Some lake levels have risen 10 feet during the last 12 months. About 107 m…

Strong thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines and damaged three buildings. Two houses and eight mobile homes suffered severe damage in Winterhaven.

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 80 to 90 mph, with a maximum gust of 87 mph at Winter Haven Gilbert Airport at 9:17 PM EST on October 9, before the instrument stopped reporting. Rainfall generally ranged from 10 to 15 inches over western parts of t…

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 40 to 50 mph, with a maximum gust of 41 mph at Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport at 7:04 AM EST on August 5. Rainfall ranged from 4 to 8 inches, with a maximum total of 8.03 inches near Mulberry. A tornado was reported …

Public video and reports shared via social media depict multiple fences toppled and damage to multiple pool cages just south of Lakeland Linder International Airport.

Picture posted on social media displayed golf ball size hail near Haines City.

Picture posted on social media displayed golf ball size hail near Lake Alfred.

Surface observations indicate peak wind gusts generally between 40 to 50 mph, with a maximum gust of 47 mph at Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport at 5:43 AM EST on August 30. Rainfall ranged from 3 to 6 inches, with a maximum total of 5.28 inches near Bartow.

EM relayed report of damage to the carport of a home near Lake Alfred.

Trained spotter relayed report via ham radio of 1-inch diameter hail northeast of Lake Wales.

Ham radio report received of 1-inch diameter hail along US Hwy 27 southwest of Haines City.

Public report received via social media of 1.75-inch hail between Lake Alfred and Haines City.

EM relayed report of minor damage to two carports near Lake Starr.

Public report received of 1-inch hail southeast of Loughman.

Public report received of 1-inch diameter hail west of Frostproof.

The highest wind reported in Polk County was a gust to 54 mph at Winter Haven Regional Airport at 5:32 AM EST on November 10. Rainfall generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches with a maximum of 5.13 inches reported near Davenport.

EM relayed reports of damage to a screened patio extension cover.

Amateur radio operator reported golf ball size hail near Cypress Gardens in Polk County.

Mesonet site TT601 Avon Park AFR North reported a 62 mph wind gust.