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Video above: Continuous coverage of Hurricane Ian

South Florida is preparing for Hurricane Ian as it rapidly intensifies and approaches the state.

Parts of Okeechobee County and the Treasure Coast are back in the cone of uncertainty for Hurricane Ian as of Tuesday morning.

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All of our viewing area is under warnings or watches as Hurricane Ian moves closer to the state. A tornado watch is in effect for South Florida until 5 p.m. WPBF has declared Wednesday and Thursday First Warning Weather Days.

For a full list of school closures, click here.

Tracking The Tropics: The latest on Hurricane Ian

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the state of Florida in preparation for the storm.

Below is a look at how each of the counties is preparing:

Palm Beach County officials held a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the county’s emergency management building laying out their plans for Hurricane Ian.

The emergency operations center has been activated and as of 2 p.m. it has been operating at level 2.

Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth said the county’s emergency operations center went to a level three last Friday, and the county administrator and staff have been working since then to ensure that they’re prepared for the storm.

He said they’ve also had virtual meetings with the state and is assuring county residents that there are resources available if needed.

For now, they are closely watching what is expected to mostly be a rain and wind event in Palm Beach County.

Weinroth is now calling on residents to look out for themselves and their neighbors as Ian gets closer to the west coast.

“Look out for your neighbors, especially the elderly or infirmed, people who can’t get out. This is the time to help them, make sure they have the supplies they need. Make sure that you know if they need some assistance, this is the time to reach out,” Weinroth said.

Palm Tran will not be in service Wednesday.

Waste Management will suspend collection services for Palm Beach County on Wednesday.

All Palm Beach County schools and after school activities have also been cancelled.

On Tuesday, emergency management crews brought in 35 tons of sand for residents to stock up on sandbags in the parking lot of Halpatiokee Regional Park in Stuart.

“Might as well get the bags now before we get the heavy rains and we have flooding in the house,” said one resident.

“It is in the best interest for our community to be as prepared as possible for any potential Hurricane Ian impacts,” said Kylie Yanchula, Martin County public works administrator.

Residents from each household can get 25 sandbags per car.

“If it hits at high tide, it looks like the water will be up to my house, so I'm just trying to do my seawall and raise it up a little bit,” said another resident who lives near the water. “I just want to secure my house get my dog, and get out of there."

County staff spent the day helping to fill bags for those needing assistance but asked those capable to bring their own shovels.

Sand will be available to those with proof of residence until 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The St. Lucie County public information lines can be reached at 772-460-4357 or 772-460-HELP, which are open the rest of the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Waste Management will suspend collection services for Indian River County on Wednesday.

All county offices are closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

School District of Indian River County schools are closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Tuesday evening, county staff will remove traffic cones, barriers and signs from all road construction projects to reduce the chance of flying projectiles during the storm.

County leaders are asking people to bring in any loose items from outside their homes inside to reduce the chance of flying projectiles and to make sure all trash debris is moved away from any storm drains.

"We are messaging right now to all of our communities to make sure that they have their yards picked up, any loose items, we want them to be secured when the tropical force winds do come into our area, we want to have the environment as safe as possible,” said Ryan Lloyd, emergency management coordinator for Indian River County.

In addition, county leaders are asking people to avoid driving on Wednesday if possible.

"(Wednesday), as weather conditions decline, it’s going to be harder for people to be out so we ask that people stay off the roads tomorrow when the conditions do decline and use good judgment on what their activities are outside,” Lloyd said.

The county's emergency operations center will be fully activated on Wednesday at 8 a.m. in preparation for the storm. County leaders say they continue to monitor the track of Hurricane Ian, and they say all staff, equipment and vehicles are ready to respond to the severe weather.

Residents of Vero Beach say they've taken steps to prepare for the storm. Kevin Bennett says he started purchasing items for his hurricane kit about a week ago.

“I’m not too worried, unless it shifts to the east, then you need to worry a little bit more than I am now, but I’m prepared,” Bennett said.

Click here for more safety information in Indian River County.

FEMA, NOAA officials discuss Hurricane Ian impacts and current response plans

Okeechobee County is under a local state of emergency as the county is under a tornado warning.

Two shelters will be opening on Wednesday.

Pets are required to be registered with the county. A crate must be provided with up-to-date shot records, food for about five days and water. If the animal is a cat, a litter box must be provided.

This shelter is opening at 8 a.m. Registration is required here. Officials said they can open an additional shelter if needed.

"Today is probably their last day to implement any of their protective measures or their plan before the weather starts deteriorating. And they need to be ready to execute that plan, whatever it is for them," Ralph Franklin, public safety director in Okeechobee County, told WPBF 25 News. "Be patient. Be careful driving because the streets are already wet. And we want to stress to them that they have a plan in place, they’re working on that plan, they need to be ready."

The county has also been providing free sandbags to residents since Monday. Community members would need to fill the bags on their own, and there is a limit of 20 bags per car.

"That will stay running until we’re out of sand, or out of sandbags or if conditions are unsafe for people to be out there filling up the sandbags," Franklin said.

Volunteers have also jumped in to help residents as they're preparing for whatever is to come.

"Just coming out here to help the community, prepare for the storm," Michael Facci a firefighter paramedic in Highlands County, told WPBF 25 News. "A little group of us helping out making sure everybody’s all good for the storm."

"We know that Okeechobee’s prone to flooding... so we’re going to try to do the best we can to make sure we keep water out," Freddy Martin, who is helping his uncle prepare, said.

"We boarded, we bought water. I took water from the faucets and filled like about 20 five-gallon jugs, bought batteries, bought canned goods," Angela Vanhowe, a resident, told WPBF 25 News.

Waste Management will suspend collection services for Okeechobee County on Wednesday.

Okeechobee County provides sandbags for residents ahead of Hurricane Ian

Stay updated on the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

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