One week after historic rainfall inundated parts of the Treasure Coast, homeowners on Hyline Drive in Jensen Beach are still wading through several feet of standing water inside their houses. The floodwaters, which entered homes through toilets and showers, have forced evacuations and left many families without a place to stay.
Residents describe the damage
Lisa French, a resident of the Skyline Heights neighborhood, recounted how the water rose steadily. “Tuesday you can kind of see the water creep towards the house, and then we started having water come out of our toilets and our showers, so we decided to leave. Wednesday, we got back here, and there’s flooding inside the house, and this all came,” she said.
French explained that the neighborhood sits near the Savannas Preserve, a natural drainage area that channels excess water southward. Officials told residents that water is being pumped from Port St. Lucie into the preserve, which then backs up into Jensen Beach. “We’re at level with the Savannas, so if they try to pump, it’s like they’re pumping us and the Savannas at the same time,” French added.
No flood insurance and health hazards
Because the area is not designated as a flood zone, none of the homeowners, including French, carry flood insurance. As the water lingered, sewage mixed with the floodwater, creating strong odors and floating fecal matter. “It’s like a total teardown; we had people come, and everything in there has been sewer water sitting in hot heat,” French said. She described the interior as a “hot box” with four to six inches of contaminated water covering floors.
County response
Martin County officials confirmed that crews are working to address the flooding and are evaluating local watersheds to determine if they have sufficient capacity for future events. On Sunday, residents brought their concerns directly to county leaders. District 1 County Commissioner Eileen Vargas noted that Habitat for Humanity and United Way are coordinating shelter assistance, while Martin County Public Works Director Jim Gorton said temporary housing solutions are being arranged.
“We are working on temporary housing… stay tuned next week. Make sure you have your contact information out there; next week is tomorrow,” Gorton told the crowd.
Looking ahead
French expressed hope that her family can rebuild and return home in time for the holidays. “The first thing you think of is Thanksgiving is coming up; we’re supposed to host Thanksgiving. Then I’m supposed to do Christmas for my boys, and we don’t have a home… It’s just hard,” she said. She added that many neighbors have become like family, and she is determined to keep and restore her property.
The community continues to rally around those affected, seeking both immediate relief and long‑term solutions to prevent a repeat of this disaster.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
