What is the problem with Okeechobee for us out of staters?
Not sure what anyone else might be thinking on the subject, but a lot of rainfall on that lake and in the Everglades would tend to 'flush' the swamp... most likely toward Miami.
While that would cause locally heavy flooding (hey, everything is low-level over there anyway), it would also flush the snakes and gators back into populated areas.
The Herbert Hoover dike is 80 years old and eroding.
http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2017/02/13/lake-o-dike-safer-but-work-remains/97859372/
Plus South Florida’s flood control, east and west coasts, is a series of canals that drain water from Okeechobee (Seminole for “Big Water” ) and the Everglades out into the Atlantic or Gulf. Water flowing out of Okeechobee competes with all the other water trying to run off and drain into those canals. Increase flooding.
Sorry, was out for awhile, but I see others answered your Lake O question. It’s got some dam issues, they’re about 1/2 way through a rebuild and upgrade project. Given the history with hurricanes coming through the area it’s unsettling. Plus, it’s a storm feeder. WARM water.