Okeechobee County - Wednesday September 28, 2022: As of Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Okeechobee County has these important updates:
• Okeechobee County Emergency Management Officials continue to respond to community needs related to Hurricane Ian. Okeechobee County is currently under a Hurricane Warning. Residents should be prepared for severe weather in the next 24 hours. The Emergency Operations Center is currently at Activation Level 2: Partial Activation.
• Anticipated conditions include winds from 40-50 mph with gusts up to 75 mph. THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE THREAT FOR TORNADOS THROUGHOUT OUR AREA. The county is also expecting 6-8 inches of rain with up to 12 inches in some areas.
• Two Shelters are currently open. Residents are encouraged to go to a shelter now if they are planning to do so. Please remember to bring your own supplies including bedding.
o A Special Needs Shelter will open at the Department of Health at 8:00 a.m. located at 1700 NW 9th Avenue. Registration is required at https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/
o A General Population and Pet Friendly shelter will open at South Elementary at 10:00 a.m. located at 2468 SW 7th Avenue.
Pets are required to be registered with the County and provide a crate, up to date shot records, food for at least 3-5 days, water for the animal and a litter box if the pet is a cat.
• Waste Management has stopped collection and will announce plans to resume when safe to do so. For updates from Waste Management go to www.wmfloridastorm.com.
• An information line is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. by calling 863-824-6888.
• Closures:
o Okeechobee County Office Buildings: Wednesday and Thursday (9/28/22-9/29/22)
o Okeechobee County Sheriff Administration: Wednesday – Friday (9/28/22-9/30/22)