News Cast for October 8th:

In preparations for Hurricane Milton, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Service will be closed for the remainder of the day and for the following three days, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We plan to reopen on Friday 10/11/2024 depending on weather conditions

Florida braces for big hit

Hurricane Milton is expected to hit somewhere on Florida’s west coast tomorrow evening.

State officials expect wide spread damage, deadly storm surge, and lengthy power outages.

Ana Espinosa with Florida Power and Light said the company is bringing in crews from across the nation as far away as Arizona to be ready to restore power.

Traffic will be among the impacts in Okeechobee as we are in a hurricane watch, tropical storm warning area.

County spokesperson Denise Whitehead expects all kinds of traffic starting today.

The Florida Highway Patrol expects to have a large presence along I-4 and local law enforcement will be noticeable across the state.

Okeechobee motels and hotels rooms are mostly full.  Shelters are opening today in Okeechobee, Kenansville and Lakeport.

Garbage collection continues in Okeechobee until sustained winds reach 35 miles per hour.

Sand bags are still available at the public works department.

Hillsborough county is bracing for deadly storm surge.  They are just getting over Helene.

Sheriff Chad Chronister says he’s glad that residents are taking action.  FHP also is escorting fuel tankers to areas needing gas.

Glades County also expects traffic and damage.  They encourage mobile home owners to evacuate.

Emergency Manager Marisa Shivers said they also expect US 27 to be busy along with east west routes.

They have a shelter at the Maple Grove Baptist Church in Lakeport opening at 6 pm.

The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force rescued some people from having to worry about the storm, they arrest several on drug charges.

Fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine sales and possession charges were filed against suspects.

The list of those charged include 38-year-old Mark Jolliff, 36- year-old Jose Delacruz, 25-year-old Breaira Smith, 66-year-old Cecil Bristor, 36-year-old Corey Delang and 31-year-old Alexis Taber.

4 others are being sought, Quinton Hamner (38)

Catrina Edison (33), Tiffany Curtis (42) and Joseph Foley (46).

ByTaylor