Port St. Lucie and Okeechobee County Issue Precautionary Boil Water Notices Amid Severe Weather Threats

The Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department (PSLUSD) has announced a precautionary boil water notice starting at 8 p.m. on October 9, 2024, due to expectations of adverse weather conditions that could potentially disrupt water services. This measure is intended to safeguard residents against possible water contamination resulting from storm damage to water infrastructure.

Residents are advised to fill containers with tap water before the 8 p.m. deadline. Subsequently, any water intended for drinking or cooking should be boiled for at least two minutes. The advisory will remain in effect until weather conditions improve and PSLUSD conducts thorough inspections to ensure that the water system’s integrity is maintained.

In a related development, Okeechobee County has also issued a boil warning starting at 8 a.m. as the region comes under a hurricane warning. The directive comes amid assurances from the Army Corps of Engineers that Lake Okeechobee is unlikely to flood, although high winds remain a significant concern.

Okeechobee’s mayor, Dowling Watford, highlighted the area’s particular vulnerabilities due to the prevalence of mobile homes, which he noted could pose increased risks in the event of strong wind gusts. “Our population isn’t as affluent as some of the coastal areas,” the mayor remarked. “We don’t have the resources that some of the bigger counties and cities have. It’s a challenge for us. The one thing we have going for us is our community is like a family.”

Mayor Watford emphasized the vital role of community cooperation in overcoming the difficulties posed by the storm and expressed confidence in the resilience and mutual support demonstrated by local residents and authorities.