WILMA'S WICKED ARRIVAL SOON

We know that Hurricane Wilma will be arriving in a matter of hours. For the past few hours we have been experiencing the outer bands of the storm here in Lakeland with occasional heavy rains and reports of several tornadoes across Central Florida.

While the centre of the storm is expected to cross south of Fort Myers/Naples early tomorrow morning, we will have continued periods of thunderstorms and probable tropical storm force winds through the morning. Conditions are expected to improve during the afternoon, and with the passage of a cold front lows Monday night should dip to their coldest levels of the season...into the 50s.

Locally, there are no evacuation orders in effect, but five shelters were opened in southern Polk County for people who were uncomfortable staying in their homes. Schools and government offices will be closed Monday.

My office will be open, but with no bus services running I'll have to take a personal day.