At approximately 2:41 PM, on Friday, December 27, 2024, an electrical emergency was reported near 4443 Mammoth Grove Rd. in Lake Wales.
A vehicle being driven near this location (the vehicle is known to be called a “grove goat”) appears to have struck powerlines and torn them to the ground and across the road, according to Carrie Horstman, PCSO Public Information Officer.
At the time of publication, the powerlines are live in Mammoth Grove Grove is closed in both directions near this address. Please avoid this area as the road is shut down and not safe to travel on.
There is no confirmation of entrapment at this time. A small brushfire is being extinguished at this time as a result of the wires being down.
Duke Energy, PCSO and PCFR are all presently on scene. Polk County Sheriff’s Office has tweeted the following:
“@DukeEnergy power lines were pulled down by a grove goat piece of machinery working along Mammoth Grove Road in Lake Wales – that roadway west of Camp Mack Rd is shut down until further notice. Please use alternate routes.”
Polk County Fire Rescue PIO Nathaniel Gale has confirmed that no one has been transported with injuries.
A representative from Duke Energy says that power is expected to be restored to about 400 affected customers by 6:45 pm today.
