- Who: Hyline Drive homeowners and Martin County officials
- What: Sewage-tainted floodwater still surrounds homes eight days after historic rain
- Where: A neighborhood near Savannas Preserve in Jensen Beach
Homeowners along Hyline Drive in Jensen Beach are still surrounded by floodwater eight days after historic rainfall hit the Treasure Coast. County officials told residents at a Sunday meeting that they do not know when the water will recede.
Water Up to Five Feet Deep, Mixed With Septic Waste
Residents estimate the water remains as deep as five feet in some spots. Many homes in the neighborhood use septic systems, and residents say the floodwater is contaminated with sewage. Some households report they cannot move their cars, shower or flush toilets. Others describe stepping across cinder blocks to reach their front doors.
Damage varies from house to house. One longtime resident said some neighbors have water three to four feet deep inside their homes. His own home has stayed dry so far, though water has reached his Florida room and his pool.
Early in the week, water in some homes kept rising after the rain had stopped. A resident told WPTV on Nov. 4 that the water level was waist-deep at one home.
Why the Water Has Nowhere to Go
The neighborhood sits beside the Savannas Preserve, where water naturally flows south from other areas that also flooded. Martin County said earlier in the week that it could not pump water out of the community because the surrounding watershed lacked capacity. Public Works Director Jim Gordon said that as downstream levels fall, the ponds crews need to pump into would drain and allow pumping to start.
Some homeowners fear the standing water could linger for months. They also worry about the next storm. Residents say another heavy rain would flood the area again.
Some residents are also frustrated about long-term drainage. One homeowner said the neighborhood has flooded before and that drainage upgrades have been needed since 2011. He said the Sunday meeting gave no details on permanent fixes.
Insurance Gap and the Push for Federal Help
The neighborhood is not in a designated flood zone, so many homeowners do not carry flood insurance. That leaves them with little coverage for the damage.
Florida has declared a state of emergency that includes Martin County. Residents say they hope the governor will request a federal disaster declaration, which could open the door to FEMA assistance. No such request has been confirmed.
The Sunday meeting was a flood relief session with county leaders. Residents in the affected area can expect further updates from Martin County as water levels downstream change and pumping becomes possible.
