Florida apartment renters say heavy rain leaves them wading with kids through a parking lot

Heavy rain leaves so much water behind at one Florida apartment complex that reaching a parked car becomes difficult.

Tenants at Marino Apartments in Jupiter told WPTV that parts of the property repeatedly end up underwater during storms. They said the water raises concerns about access and day-to-day safety for renters trying to reach their vehicles.

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Resident James Ortman told the station the standing water has reached between 10 and 12 inches at its deepest, pooling near his truck's front tires.

Because of the flooding, his family has to plan around it just to do everyday things, such as loading the kids into the car in the rain.

"My 9-year-old and 5-year-old should not have to describe to me whether it's a puddle, pond, or lake outside the truck," Ortman said.

The station reported that management at the complex had not explained what's causing the drainage problem or said whether any fixes were in the works.

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Even leaving home can require extra planning for Ortman's family when water collects outside. 

"If they do, then we may have to go more Crocs, getting them into the truck, and I'll bring their school shoes, their school socks or shoes down," Ortman said. "Same thing for me."

He also questioned whether children should have to cross that much standing water at all. 

"Would you feel comfortable walking your kids through, I don't know, 1,500 square feet of eight inches of water?" he asked.

The station noted it has not independently confirmed how deep the water gets or how much of the property floods, relying on Ortman's own account.

What can be done?

Residents are waiting for property management to respond publicly to the reported flooding.

WPTV reporter Samantha Gutierrez repeatedly tried to reach Marino Apartments management for comment on the drainage problems and what might be done about them but received no response.

Ortman said he wants someone from management to see firsthand what residents go through and to explain why the water keeps piling up after storms. Tenants generally cannot authorize drainage work, redesign parking lots, or make other structural property changes on their own.

To avoid such problems in the long term, renters can work with landlords or homeowners associations to suggest infrastructure improvements and change established rules to make daily living more comfortable. 

Ortman summed up his frustration with a challenge to management. 

"Live through it. Live through it for a few days, and then tell me," he said.

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