11/01/2026
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY DECLARES LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL AND LOCALIZED FLOODING
Okeechobee County, FL – Okeechobee County entered a Local State of Emergency effective at 2:00 p.m. today, Sunday, November 1, 2026, in response to heavy rainfall and localized flooding impacting portions of the county.
Okeechobee County Emergency Management is urging all residents to remain at home and avoid unnecessary travel whenever possible. Several roadways are experiencing flooding, creating hazardous driving conditions. Residents are reminded:
Turn Around, Don't Drown. Never attempt to drive through standing or moving floodwater, as road conditions and water depths can be deceptive.
Sandbag Availability:
Sandbags are available to residents at the following location:
Okeechobee County Road Department
804 Northwest 2nd Street
Okeechobee, Fl
Residents needing sandbags are encouraged to use caution when traveling to and from the distribution location.
There is a 10-sandbag limit per vehicle while supplies last.
County Response and Coordination:
Okeechobee County Road and Bridge crews are actively responding to reported flooding locations and working in coordination with the City of Okeechobee and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to address roadway drainage and mitigate flooding conditions.
The County is also in direct communication with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to verify that applicable water-control pumps are operational and operating at available capacity to assist with water management throughout the affected areas.
Additionally, Okeechobee County is communicating with the Okeechobee County School District regarding current conditions. The School District has been provided information to monitor roadway conditions and make any necessary adjustments to school operations or bus routes for Monday, November 2, 2026.
Emergency Assistance:
Residents experiencing a life-threatening emergency, whether related to flooding or any other immediate threat to life or safety, should call 911.
Floodwater Safety Reminder:
Residents are strongly cautioned to stay away from moving floodwater. Floodwaters can be extremely dangerous, even when they appear shallow, and can quickly sweep away pedestrians, vehicles, and debris. Do not attempt to walk, drive, or otherwise travel through moving water. Keep children and pets away from flooded drainage areas, canals, ditches, and waterways. Turn Around, Don't Drown! Your safety is not worth the risk.
Residents are encouraged to monitor official Okeechobee County Emergency Management communication channels for additional updates, roadway information, and emergency announcements as conditions develop.
The safety of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority. We appreciate the public's patience and cooperation as our local, county, and state partners continue working to address these conditions.
