Flooding forced road closures in Port St. Lucie and temporarily suspended St. Lucie County's regular Area Regional Transit (ART) service Monday as officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. The county activated its Emergency Operations Center and issued a local state of emergency as crews responded to widespread flooding and unsafe driving conditions.
City officials have closed California and Savona boulevards, as well as Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Aviation Avenue. Officials are monitoring SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard south of Gatlin Boulevard and St. Lucie West Boulevard for possible closures. Becker Road and Savona Boulevard are also being monitored. Tradition Parkway, Community Boulevard, Volucia Drive and Innovation Way remain open, though water has been reported on those roads and officials are monitoring conditions.
Police also reported flooding on Southwest Airoso Boulevard; Southeast Thornhill Drive; Southworth Boulevard and Jeanette Drive; Country Club Estates; Southwest Discovery Way and Community Boulevard in Tradition; and LTC Parkway. City crews are checking drainage systems and responding to potholes. Officials urged drivers to leave barricades in place and avoid flooded roadways. Drivers whose vehicles become stranded can call a towing company directly if they are not in immediate danger and do not require rescue.
ART officials are contacting passengers affected by the suspension and monitoring road conditions before regular transportation service resumes. County offices and schools closed early Monday because of the flooding. St. Lucie County spokesperson Eric Gill said the Emergency Operations Center is at a Level 2 partial activation.
The local state of emergency gives the county access to resources if needed. Gill said road closures continue to change as conditions evolve and urged residents to stay off the roads if possible.
The National Weather Service in Melbourne said east-central Florida, including Indian River County, remains under a flood watch until 7 p.m. Forecasters expect an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain, with some locations facing a 10% chance of receiving 5 inches or more. Port St. Lucie officials encouraged residents to monitor the city's website and the Port St. Lucie Police Department's social media channels for traffic updates and potential road closures.