Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers, joined by local emergency crews, spent Wednesday pulling hundreds of Tradition residents out of flood‑filled streets in St. Lucie County. The Vitalia neighborhood, one of the hardest‑hit areas, saw dozens of families trapped in their homes as water rose.
Swamp buggy reaches otherwise inaccessible homes
WPBF 25 News rode along with officers aboard a swamp buggy – a vehicle that sits several feet above the ground – allowing crews to navigate streets that ordinary cars could not. The buggy proved essential for reaching homes cut off by several inches of water.
Among those rescued were Sheri George and her husband, Arthur. The couple had been without electricity, running water, or air conditioning since Monday, and their sewer system was down. “We had spoiled food and unusable toilets,” George said. “If we hadn’t left, we would have been stuck there – who knows how much longer.”
Neighbors pitch in, too
In nearby Creekside, floodwaters lingered, prompting resident Chris Knidle to take his personal kayak out to ferry neighbors back to their homes and retrieve belongings. “Since we came back, I’ve been kind of ferrying some of the people back because basically it’s at your own risk,” he explained.
The flooding has affected multiple communities throughout St. Lucie County, prompting ongoing rescue efforts and reminders for residents to stay alert as water levels recede.
Stay informed
Residents can follow the latest updates through the WPBF 25 News app, which provides real‑time alerts on road closures, shelter locations, and further rescue operations.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
