OKEECHOBEE -- As of Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 at 9 a.m. Okeechobee County has these important updates:

• Okeechobee County Emergency Management Officials are responding to reports of damage from Hurricane Ian. Residents should remain home while responders are clearing roadways and conducting damage assessments. The Emergency Operations Center is currently at Activation Level 2: Partial Activation.

• Residents are asked to stay off the roads while damage assessments are conducted.

• Power is out throughout the county including many businesses and traffic lights. All inoperable traffic lights should be treated as a four way stop. The county and city are working to restore as many traffic lights as possible.

• Utility companies have been working through the morning to conduct damage assessment. This will determine a course of action for restoration efforts.

• All first responders are on the roads helping with damage assessments, clearing major roadways, and responding to emergencies.

• For continued updates follow us on: Facebook: Okeechobee Emergency-Management or Okeechobee County Government; Okeechobee County Website: www.co.okeechobee.fl.us