Glades County Public Safety

11/03/2026

GCSO is currently monitoring all roadways in Glades County.

US 27 at the KOA has water standing in all lanes. Some places in that area are down to one lane until the water subsides. FDOT has put up signs.

State Road 78 W has multiple locations of water over the roadway. FDOT still has this road closed. Local traffic ONLY.

State Road 29 at Chaparral Slough has water across the roadway in some areas.

Please use extreme caution when you are in any of these areas. FDOT is also aware of water over the roadways and are putting out signs as fast as possible.

We will be monitoring throughout the night.

GCSO is currently monitoring all roadways in Glades County.

US 27 at the KOA has water standing in all lanes. Some places in that area are down to one lane until the water subsides. FDOT has put up signs.

State Road 78 W has multiple locations of water over the roadway. FDOT still has this road closed. Local traffic ONLY.

State Road 29 at Chaparral Slough has water across the roadway in some areas.

Please use extreme caution when you are in any of these areas. FDOT is also aware of water over the roadways and are putting out signs as fast as possible. We will be monitoring throughout the night.

11/02/2026

⚠️ FLOODING UPDATE: HIGHWAY 78 EAST CLOSURE & BOAT LOCK RESTRICTIONS

Monday, November 2, 2026

Glades County residents and motorists traveling between Glades and Okeechobee Counties should be aware of significant roadway closures and flood mitigation efforts taking place in Okeechobee County.

According to Okeechobee County officials, Highway 78 East, from its intersection with Highway 441 South to SW 16th Avenue, will close to through traffic beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m. today.

Additionally, Lock 7 will close at 5:00 p.m. and remain closed until further notice.

These closures are necessary to assist with ongoing flood mitigation efforts. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will be installing pumping equipment across Highway 78 to help move excess water away from affected areas.

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE & TRAFFIC INFORMATION

* Highway 78 East will be closed to through traffic within the designated closure area.
* Access will be restricted to local residents living within the closure area, subject to roadway conditions and law enforcement directions.
* Commercial motor vehicles will not be permitted through the closure area.
* Motorists traveling between Glades and Okeechobee Counties should plan alternate routes and allow additional travel time.
* Lock 7 will remain closed until officials determine it is safe to reopen.

🚩 NAVIGATION NOTICE – BOAT LOCK CLOSURE

The S-193 Boat Lock on Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County has been closed to boat traffic effective immediately.

This boat lock is being used to move floodwaters away from local communities. It will remain closed to boat traffic for safety purposes until further notice.

All other north shore boat locks remain operational and open for boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee.

Current boat lock operating information:

▪ S-135 Boat Lock – J&S Fish Camp, Martin County
Open daily: 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
▪ G-36 Boat Lock – Henry Creek, Okeechobee County
Open daily: 5:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
▪ S-127 Boat Lock – Buckhead Ridge, Glades County
Open daily: 5:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
▪ S-131 Boat Lock – Lakeport, Glades County
Open daily: 5:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

🔗 For additional boat lock and navigation information, visit: https://SFWMD.gov/Navigation

‼️ IMPORTANT FOR GLADES COUNTY RESIDENTS

Residents who regularly travel Highway 78 toward Okeechobee County should plan ahead, expect possible traffic delays, and use alternate routes where appropriate.

Boaters should also check lock availability and operating conditions before heading out on Lake Okeechobee.

The roadway and boat lock restrictions are part of ongoing efforts to manage rising water levels and protect homes, properties, and surrounding communities.

Please remain alert, use caution around flooded areas, follow posted signage and directions from law enforcement, and allow crews the space needed to complete this important work.

Please share this information to help keep Glades County residents informed and safe.

11/02/2026

Please remain vigilant as flooding conditions can change quickly. Avoid flooded roadways, stay away from canals and standing water, and never drive around barricades.

🚗 Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Even shallow water can be dangerous.

Stay informed, watch for road closures, and look out for your family, neighbors, and pets.

Stay alert. Stay safe. Glades County! 💙

11/02/2026

US 27 is down to one South Bound lane at the intersection of 78W due to a traffic accident. Please use caution in the area as traffic will be moving slowly until both lanes are back open.

11/01/2026

PLEASE SEE THE PRESS RELEASE BELOW FROM FDOT Southwest Florida

ORTONA COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is closing State Road (S.R.) 78 between S.R. 29 and U.S. 27 in the Ortona area due to water overtopping the roadway, creating unsafe driving conditions.

*****Local traffic will be allowed. If you live off 78 West, you may still pass through. USE EXTREME CAUTION!*****

The roadway will remain closed until conditions improve and it is safe to reopen. At this time, the duration of the closure is unknown.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, seek alternate routes, and allow additional travel time. Drivers should obey all posted road closure signs and barricades and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

FDOT will continue to monitor roadway conditions and provide updates as information becomes available.

11/01/2026

GCSO is currently monitoring flooding on multiple roadways in the County. Please stay off the roads if possible. State Road 78 West is flooded in multiple areas. If you travel through this area, please use extreme caution. FDOT Southwest Florida has been advised and is enroute to assist. We expect more flooding throughout the day.

10/31/2026

🎃👻 HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM GLADES COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY! 🚒🚑

Our Glades County Public Safety team wishes everyone a fun, safe, and spooktacular Halloween! 🧡🖤

🍬 STOP BY AND GET SOME CANDY! 🍬

Bring the kids by the Emergency Operations Center and say hello! We’d love to see all the little ghosts, goblins, superheroes, and princesses!

📍 Emergency Operations Center
1097 Health Park Drive
Moore Haven, FL 33471

While you’re out trick-or-treating, remember these Halloween safety tips:

🎃 Trick-or-treat with a trusted adult.
🔦 Carry a flashlight or glow stick.
👻 Wear bright or reflective clothing.
🚗 Watch for vehicles and use crosswalks.
🍭 Check candy before eating.
🏡 Stick to familiar, well-lit homes and neighborhoods.

Have a frightfully fun Halloween, Glades County! Stay safe, look out for one another, and don’t forget to stop by for a treat!

From your friends at Glades County Public Safety! 🧡

10/09/2026

🌀 HURRICANE ISAIAS & WEEKEND WEATHER

Glades County Public Safety continues to monitor Hurricane Isaias and its potential influence on our local weather.

According to the latest updates from NOAA, the National Hurricane Center, and the National Weather Service in Miami, Isaias is forecast to move toward the northern Gulf Coast. For Glades County, the primary concern this weekend is the potential for scattered showers and thunderstorms, locally heavy rainfall, and gusty winds in stronger storms.

🌧️ WHAT TO EXPECT IN GLADES COUNTY

Residents should expect hot, humid conditions with a chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Brief heavy rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds are possible with stronger storms.

⚠️ POTENTIAL HAZARDS
• Brief heavy downpours and localized ponding of water.
• Lightning and gusty winds near thunderstorms.
• Reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions during heavy rain.
• Heat and humidity during outdoor activities.

✅ WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD DO
✔️ Stay weather-aware and monitor updated forecasts.
✔️ Secure loose outdoor items if thunderstorms approach.
✔️ Never drive through flooded roadways.
✔️ Move indoors when thunder is heard.
✔️ Stay hydrated and take breaks when working outdoors.
✔️ Enable weather alerts on your phone.

Glades County Public Safety will continue monitoring conditions and sharing updates as needed.

Stay weather aware. Stay prepared. Stay safe!l

10/06/2026

🌀 GLADES COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY – TROPICAL WEATHER UPDATE

📅 October 6, 2026

Glades County Public Safety is monitoring an area of disturbed weather in the Gulf of Mexico that has the potential to develop into a tropical system.

🌴 If the system develops into a named storm, the next name on the list is Isaias.

At this time, there is no direct threat to Glades County identified in the official forecast. However, conditions are expected to evolve over the coming days, and forecast models continue to show uncertainty regarding the system’s eventual strength and track.

🌧️ WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR GLADES COUNTY

Even if the system does not make a direct impact, increased tropical moisture could bring:

• Periods of heavier rainfall
• Increased thunderstorm activity
• Gusty winds in stronger storms
• Localized flooding, particularly in low-lying areas

Glades County Public Safety will continue monitoring NOAA, the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service Miami and will provide updates as reliable information becomes available.

Residents do not need to panic or make major preparations at this time, but now is a good time to make sure your hurricane supplies are ready and that you can receive weather alerts.

⚠️ The official forecast will become more reliable as the system develops. We will continue monitoring the situation and will provide updates if conditions or the forecast change.

Stay weather aware. Stay prepared. Stay safe. 🌧️🌀