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Okeechobee County declares state of emergency ahead of tropical threat

'Our public works department has been out clearing culverts and clearing all the waterways,' Okeechobee County Public Safety Director Earl Wooten says

Okeechobee County declared a state of emergency Friday as what's expected to become a tropical depression heads toward Florida.

By: Matt Papaycik , Michael Hoffman

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OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — Okeechobee County declared a state of emergency Friday as what's expected to become a tropical depression heads toward Florida.

The National Hurricane Center said Invest 97L could strengthen into a depression on Friday or Saturday over the Straits of Florida or the eastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Peninsula.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

Potential Tropical Cyclone

Out of an abundance of caution, Okeechobee County said Friday it's declared a local state of emergency "to ensure any necessary resources can be made available in the event of a significant impact to our area."

County emergency officials said 1 to 4 inches of rainfall are expected in Okeechobee County this weekend, along with the potential for flooding.

Okeechobee County Public Safety Director Earl Wooten explains what the county is doing ahead of possible impacts from the tropical system.

"Our public works department has been out clearing culverts and clearing all the waterways to make sure everything is ready in case we do get any type of rain event that they're talking about," Okeechobee County Public Safety Director Earl Wooten said.

Okeechobee County is currently not under any weather watches or warnings. No emergency shelters will be open as of now, and no evacuations have been ordered. In addition, county offices are operating under normal hours.