Storm Crashes Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Lake Alfred

What started as a perfect afternoon turned chaotic yesterday when a severe storm rolled through Polk County in the late afternoon. At least one hundred people rushed out of the street to take cover. The First Annual Lake Alfred Cinco de Mayo event was hosted by Las Comadres Mexican restaurant, boasting a live Mariachi band, delicious food and drinks, bouncy houses for the kids, and the crowds were enjoying the festivities. Then the sky went dark. The wind picked up like something straight out of the Wizard of Oz, and moments later came the downpour that sent everyone scrambling. Few were deterred as the festivite continued once the weather cleared. The event kept going until eight PM. While the rain was a welcome visitor after many days without, the storm left several areas across Polk County without power for a few hours, and authorities are investigating a fatal accident in Bartow that may be weather-related.