OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County officials hope to convince the governor to add Okeechobee County to his declaration of a state of emergency.

Okeechobee County Commissioners declared a state of emergency on Nov. 1, as rainfall from a “one-in-200-years” storm brought flooding throughout the county, leaving roads impassable and sending water into homes and businesses.

On Nov. 2, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie Counties.

 Okeechobee County Administrator Jessica Bezares has reached out to State Senator Erin Grall to request help in getting Okeechobee County added to the state’s emergency declaration.

"I am writing to respectfully request immediate reconsideration and inclusion of Okeechobee County in the Governor's State of Emergency declaration, following the significant rainfall and widespread flooding experienced on Nov. 1, 2026, and continuing through Nov.2, 2026," she wrote in a Nov. 2 email.

 “We understand that a recent Executive Order 26-227 was issued without including Okeechobee County. Given the flood watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service, the onset of significant flooding and emergency conditions within our County on Nov. 1, and the ongoing documented damages and continuing threats to public safety, we respectfully request that the declaration include Okeechobee County with an effective date of Nov. 1, 2026, to accurately reflect when the emergency event and its impacts began within our jurisdiction.

 “Okeechobee County declared a Local State of Emergency on Nov. 1, 2026, and immediately communicated the need for State support and consideration of a State emergency declaration. Since that time, County personnel have maintained continuous communication and coordination with State and local partners, including the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Power & Light (FPL), and other responding organizations. Supporting correspondence has also been submitted documenting the severity of the flooding and the need for assistance.

 “As of Nov. 2, 2026, local resources have been exhausted, and additional resource requests are actively being made to support emergency response and recovery operations.

 “The impacts are significant and continue to evolve:

• Inaccessible Neighborhoods: Several neighborhoods in the southwestern portion of the County and numerous areas throughout the county remain inaccessible to normal traffic, with access limited to emergency response operations.
• Public Infrastructure Damage: Confirmed damage to county facilities, drainage system washouts and failures, and developing potholes present ongoing public safety concerns and require continued response.
• Roadway Closures: State Road 78 remains closed with detours in place as of Nov. 2, as water levels continue to rise due to flows through interconnected water management systems.
• Ongoing Flooding: Elevated water levels and saturated drainage systems continue to affect neighborhoods, roadways, and public infrastructure, even beyond the initial rainfall event.
• Historic Rainfall: The National Weather Service in Melbourne characterized the rainfall on Nov. 1 as comparable to a 200-year rainfall event, emphasizing the extraordinary and rare nature of these conditions.

“While damage assessments remain ongoing, the County has already confirmed significant infrastructure impacts, restricted access to residential areas, and continued threats to public safety. The inability to access certain affected neighborhoods further complicates efforts to fully assess the extent of damages. The county's need for state assistance is immediate and ongoing. The impacts of this event extend beyond the initial rainfall, as rising water levels, infrastructure failures, and limited accessibility continue to create additional response and recovery challenges.

“We recognize and sincerely appreciate the coordination and assistance provided by our State and regional partners throughout this event. However, given the magnitude of the flooding, exhaustion of local resources, documented damages, and continuing unmet needs, we respectfully and urgently request that the Governor amend or extend the State of Emergency declaration to include Okeechobee County, with recognition of Nov. 1, 2026, as the beginning of the emergency event within the county.”