Lake Okeechobee & Surrounding Areas Under Tropical Storm Watch

Hurricane Supplies

Photo: CBS 12

Communities around Lake Okeechobee have been added to those under a Tropical Storm Watch, ahead of Hurricane Ian.

People in the City of Okeechobee have been preparing since the weekend.

"We've had quite a bit of people for gas, but what we've sold the most of was cases of water."

Convenience store worker Amanda Perry tells CBS 12 News that customers have been stopping by, claiming that other stores were out of water.

While Hurricane Ian is aiming for Florida's Gulf Coast, forecasters say it's possible that the Glades area could be impacted by tropical storm force winds.

"Drainage is our big problem. Since we're on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee, we're always concerned about Lake Okeechobee. But it's at a very low level right now."

Okeechobee Mayor Dowling Watford says the lake is at 13 feet right now, which is two feet lower than it was this time last year.

Okeechobee's mayor says drainage is a concern, since they're on the north side of Lake O, but he points out that the lake is at just 13 feet.

He says that if nothing else, this is a good reminder...

"This time of the year in Florida we need to be prepared."


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content