Okeechobee Emergency-Management

06/14/2026

05/29/2026

🦟 PUBLIC NOTICE: MOSQUITO SPRAYING 🦟
Okeechobee County residents are advised that Clarke Environmental Services will be conducting mosquito control spraying operations in designated areas of Zone A beginning Saturday, May 30 through Monday, June 1.
🗓 Dates: May 30 – June 1
🕖 Time: Between 7:00 PM and 5:00 AM
☁️ Weather Permitting
Mosquito control treatments help reduce mosquito populations and protect public health throughout our community.
Residents are encouraged to take normal precautions, including bringing pets indoors during spraying operations when possible.
For additional information and zone maps, please visit Okeechobee County's website at www.OkeechobeeCountyFL.gov.

05/28/2026

The Okeechobee County Public Safety Department is proud to announce that the County’s E-911 system now supports Text-to-911 services, providing residents and visitors with another critical way to contact emergency services when calling 911 is not possible or safe.

The new service allows individuals to send text messages directly to 911 dispatchers during emergencies. Text-to-911 can be especially valuable in situations where speaking could place someone in danger, during medical emergencies where a caller is unable to speak, or in areas where a voice call may not connect but text messaging can still be transmitted.

Residents are encouraged to continue calling 911 whenever possible, as voice calls remain the fastest and most effective way for dispatchers to gather information and provide emergency assistance. However, if calling is not an option, individuals can simply text 911 with the location of the emergency and a brief description of the situation.

“This technology provides another life-saving tool for our community,” said Justin Hazellief, Public Safety Director and Fire Chief for Okeechobee County. “There are many situations where making a voice call to 911 may not be ideal — including domestic violence incidents, medical emergencies, active threats, or situations involving hearing or speech impairments. Text-to-911 gives residents another way to reach help quickly and discreetly when every second matters.”

The Public Safety Department reminds residents that Text-to-911 should only be used for emergencies. Photos, videos, emojis, and group messages should not be sent through the system.

How to Use Text-to-911:
• Enter “911” in the recipient field
• Type the exact location of the emergency
• Briefly describe the emergency
• Answer all questions from the dispatcher promptly

The implementation of Text-to-911 reflects Okeechobee County’s continued commitment to improving emergency communications and enhancing public safety services for the community.

For more information, contact the Okeechobee County Communications Department at (863) 763-6441.

05/19/2026

**NOTICE OF OFFICE CLOSURES**

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
Friday – May 22, 2026 from noon to 5pm as our Board will honor its BOCC County employees by showing them how much they are appreciated for their hard work and dedication throughout the year at the Annual Employee Luncheon in observance of employee appreciation day.

Monday – May 25, 2026 in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.

BOCC offices will resume normal hours of operation on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

*The County Fire Department is unaffected by this closure and will continue to provide service.

𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
Waste Management advises services will operate on normal schedule and there will be NO service interruptions due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25, 2026. You can always check Waste Management’s holiday schedule alerts for Okeechobee County at: https://www.wmfloridaholiday.com/

05/16/2026

Okeechobee County Public Safety Director and Fire Chief Justin Hazellief is proud to announce the release of the official Okeechobee County Hurricane Guide for 2026!

Created by our Public Safety and Emergency Management teams, this comprehensive guide was designed specifically for our community to help residents prepare, stay informed, and stay safe during hurricane season.

Pick up your copy today at the Our Village Hurricane Expo:
📍 Sutton Farms
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Inside the guide:
✔️ Hurricane preparedness tips
✔️ Evacuation routes
✔️ Shelter information
✔️ Emergency supply checklists
✔️ Important local resources
✔️ Safety information before, during, and after the storm

This guide is an important resource in strengthening preparedness across Okeechobee County and ensuring residents have trusted local information when it matters most.

Can’t attend the expo? View and download the guide online at:
🌐 https://www.okeechobeecountyfl.gov/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/2026-hurricane-preparedness-guide

Preparedness saves lives — and this guide was built for YOU.

05/14/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE: Mosquito Spraying Scheduled

Okeechobee County residents are advised that Clarke Environmental Services will be conducting mosquito spraying operations in designated areas of the county.

Dates:
Sunday, May 17 – Wednesday, May 20

Time:
Between 7:00 PM and 5:00 AM
(Weather Permitting)

Scheduled Zones:
Zones B & F (see attached map)

Mosquito control treatments help reduce mosquito populations and support public health throughout our community.

For more information, please visit www.OkeechobeeCountyFl.gov

05/14/2026

Today, the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Public Safety Director and Fire Chief Justin Hazellief and Emergency Management Director Karen Kozac declaring May 3–9 as Hurricane Preparedness Week in Okeechobee County.
Thank you for working year-round to get us storm ready!

05/13/2026

Don't forget to join us at the Okeechobee County Library today for the WPTV Storm Ready 2026 Hurricane Preparedness Tour on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30 PM!
Join us for an informative Hurricane Preparedness Panel Discussion featuring expert meteorologists from WPTV News along with personnel from Okeechobee County Emergency Management.
This is a great opportunity for residents to learn how to prepare before, during, and after a storm as we head into hurricane season. Get your questions answered and hear important safety tips from the experts.
✅ Open to the public
📍 Okeechobee County Library
🗓️ Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 6:30 PM