As of Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 2 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.

 A Special Needs Shelter will open at the Department of Health at 8:00 a.m. located at 1700 NW Ninth Avenue. Registration is required at https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/

A General Population and Pet Friendly shelter opened at South Elementary at 10 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 a.m. to 7 p.m. by calling 863-824-6888.

• Closures:
--Okeechobee County Office Buildings: Wednesday and Thursday (9/28/22-9/29/22)
--Okeechobee County Sheriff Administration: Wednesday – Friday (9/28/22-9/30/22)

--Okeechobee Courthouse: Wednesday – Thursday (9/28/22-9/29/22)
-- Okeechobee County Schools: Wednesday – Friday (9/28/22-9/30/22)
-- Okeechobee County Parks including Lock 7: Tuesday evening – Thursday (9/27/22-9/29/22)

-- Raulerson Hospital will be on lockdown beginning noon on Wednesday (9/28/22) through 7p.m. on Thursday (9/29/22)

-- Department of Health in Okeechobee offices: Wednesday – Friday (9/28/22-9/30/22)
-- City Hall: Wednesday – Thursday (9/28/22-9/29/22)

• County evacuations are voluntary.

• All residents are requested to stay off the roads at this time and to stay home after the storm passes to allow first responders to clear the roads and have access to those in need. Please allow first responders to do their job.

Fire Rescue and Law Enforcement are patrolling the community and responding to citizen needs and will continue to do so as long as conditions are safe for their vehicles to be on the roads.

• For continued updates follow us on: Facebook: Okeechobee Emergency-Management or Okeechobee County Government; Okeechobee County Website: www.co.okeechobee.fl.us