Polk County residents in flood-prone areas evacuate to emergency shelters

FOX 13's Carla Bayron reports.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. - Shop owners and residents alike in Polk County are evacuating to safety.

They aren’t under an evacuation order, but officials say people in Polk could experience localized flooding and strong winds that can damage homes and down trees.

At Deez Pet Thrift Shop in Winter Haven, all of the proceeds go to Dee Hage's English and French bulldog rescue.

"Our mission was to feed better food so the dogs would be able to not go to the vet as often and also make it affordable enough so people didn't have to surrender their pets," said hage.

Hage wanted to open up her shop during Hurricane Milton for people who couldn't go to the pet-friendly emergency shelters, but that plan had to change as of Tuesday morning.

READ: Hurricane Milton tracker: 'Extremely dangerous' storm taking aim at Florida's Gulf coast

"The sheriff's office contacted me and said, do you think it's a good idea, Dee, you put people in there when you're in such a low area and close to the water and there's flooding that's probably going to happen," said Hage.

Polk County opened 19 emergency shelters, including pet-friendly and special needs shelter Tuesday morning. In total, they have the capacity to house 38,000 people.

Some at a shelter in north Lakeland were evacuating from low-lying areas prone to flooding in other parts of the city.

"You need to come early and process in so we can take care of you," said Sheriff Grady Judd. "Our goal is to keep you safe and help in the aftermath. The reality is this is the time when everybody has to be a first responder and everyone has to look out for each other."

And Hage says that applies to our furry family members too.

"Hopefully, people will get where they need to go and have their pets safe, but do not leave your pets behind. Under no circumstances," said Hage.

Her shop will remain open until Tuesday afternoon, but she doesn't plan to open on Wednesday.