Heavy rain this past week has left Brevard County still drying, but as the water drains it has caused the St. Johns River to rise dramatically. The surge has now flooded the pastures and arena at Harmony Farms, a nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding center located near Cocoa, Florida.
Impact on riders and horses
“Our whole county is affected,” said Harmony Farms executive director Jeanine Allen. “We use therapeutic horseback riding to help dozens of people each week, and it’s truly magical to watch riders of all ages and abilities reach their goals.” The center, which has served the community for almost 35 years, was forced to cancel all riding sessions indefinitely after water began pooling in the pastures on Friday night.
“By Saturday morning we were almost completely underwater, and by the afternoon our arena was flooded,” Allen explained. While the barn itself remains dry, the rapid rise in water has damaged stored supplies, including essential horse bedding.
Immediate needs and response
All staff, volunteers, and horses are safe, but the center now faces an urgent need for new bedding. “Where the bedding was being stored flooded,” Allen said, emphasizing the priority of keeping the senior horses comfortable.
Officials expect the St. Johns River to crest near Cocoa in the coming days, leaving Harmony Farms and its equine residents in a waiting period. Many of the horses are senior animals, and moving them could cause additional stress, so the staff has opted to hand‑walk the horses while the water recedes.
How the community can help
Harmony Farms relies heavily on community support and donations to continue its mission of providing therapeutic riding to individuals with physical, emotional, and developmental challenges. Those wishing to assist can contribute supplies or monetary donations through the farm’s online giving page.
The flooding underscores the vulnerability of local nonprofits to extreme weather events, and highlights the importance of community resilience and preparedness. As Brevard County monitors river levels, officials and residents alike are urged to stay informed and support critical services that help keep vulnerable populations safe.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
