Florida wildlife sanctuary swamped after 9 inches of rain, residents say drainage calls unanswered

Nine inches of rainfall in 24 hours flooded western Palm Beach County homes and a wildlife sanctuary.

Here's what to know

Residents near the Royal Palm Beach property told WPTV that water spilling from a canal flowed into their yards, and floodwater also reached parts of the Palm Beach Wildlife Conservation group, damaging equipment there.

As water spread across the sanctuary, Mario Lequerique, part-owner of Palm Beach Wildlife Conservation, told the station he was moving tortoises and other exotic animals to higher, safer ground. "We've had mishap with a lot of tools, pumps, some equipment, refrigeration. I would put it between 20-30 thousand dollars."

Resident Rick Duprey called the Indian Trail Improvement District numerous times. "You call them and you call them and you call them and at least they could've returned the call, and they didn't even do that. I keep telling them, it's overflowing, my house is going to flood," he said.

The Indian Trail Improvement District acknowledged residents' concerns and, in a statement to WPTV, said crews were monitoring canal and water levels, operating pumps, checking drainage conditions, and responding to flood reports while fielding an "unusually high volume of calls."

More background

Palm Beach Wildlife Conservation was established four years ago and is refocusing to provide animal interactions for children with autism.

However, the group's planned grand opening now faces a major hurdle, with cleanup expected to take weeks.

"This is gonna be a major setback," Lequerique said.

What's being done?

The Indian Trail Improvement District said it had kept up its canal system before the storm and during it, so there would be capacity for stormwater, adding that in especially heavy rain, water can enter the drainage network faster than the system can carry it away and release it.

The district's statement promised to "continue monitoring conditions and working to move water through the system as safely and efficiently as possible."

Where can I learn more?

Here are more articles on extreme weather and its effects in Florida.

• In central Florida, flash flood threat grows as tropical moisture builds before hurricane season.

• In Florida, Gene Kennedy shared crucial flood prevention steps as hurricane season intensified.

• At Florida's Jungle Friends, new hurricane-proof facilities shield primates when major storms approach.

• In Russia's Yakutia region, emergency crews rescued more than 100 people and animals.

• Across Florida waters, well over half of vital seagrass has already died off.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.