Severe thunderstorm warnings lit up small communities around Lake Okeechobee on Wednesday evening, putting Buckhead Ridge and Palmdale on high alert as forecasters called for dangerous wind and hail near the size of a U.S. quarter. The short-fuse alert stretched across a rural corridor and triggered safety calls for boaters and lakeside residents.
Aviso de Tormenta Severa incluye Buckhead Ridge FL, Palmdale FL hasta las 6:30 PM EDT
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) June 24, 2026
The National Weather Service office in Miami pushed the warning on X, calling out Buckhead Ridge and Palmdale and noting the advisory would run until about 6:30 p.m. EDT. Forecasters warned of quarter-size hail, wind gusts up to 60 mph and estimated roughly 2,943 people were inside the impact zone, according to NWS Miami.
Communities Around Lake Okeechobee
The alert also named Okeechobee, Moore Haven and Clewiston, small towns along the lake’s rim that can quickly find themselves under the gun when summer storms flare up. Recent weather has already taken a swipe at the corridor, and a previous burst of strong winds and rain hammered the lakeside area, as detailed in Buckhead Ridge Rocked.
Storm Threats And Safety
Radar-based tools showed the storm cells capable of producing damaging 60 mph gusts and hail strong enough to dent vehicles and snap tree limbs, hazards that can tear at roofs and siding in a hurry. For protection, residents are urged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor, stay away from windows, and boaters should head for safe harbor, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
How To Stay Updated
Local officials advise residents to stay glued to official channels and to report any storm damage to county public safety offices. Glades County lists Emergency Operations Center contacts for Moore Haven and nearby communities, and recommends keeping phones charged, securing loose outdoor items and listening to NOAA Weather Radio for real-time alerts, per Glades County Emergency Management.
Short, sharp summer storms are a fact of life around Lake Okeechobee, so check official updates before heading outside and make sure boats, lawn furniture and any other loose gear are locked down until the threat passes. This report will be updated as new information comes in.
