Flooding has forced Happy Place Ranch in Palm City to close to visitors, cutting off income and increasing animal-care costs after months of weather-related disruptions. Days after heavy rain swept through the area, much of the property remains surrounded by standing water. Owner Amanda Cimorelli said the ranch has been losing revenue since October, with weather forcing cancellations of its fall festival and horse shows. The latest flooding has left the business facing more potential cancellations while it spends extra money caring for its animals. “It's crushing,” Cimorelli said, fighting back tears. “It's sad.”
The ranch has offered horse shows, riding lessons, birthday parties and other activities for seven years. Now, two upcoming birthday parties may have to be canceled because of the flooding. Cimorelli said that would be a first during the ranch's seven years at the property.
The possible cancellations come as the business faces both lost bookings and additional expenses. “It's just thousands and thousands of dollars of revenue lost and extra cash going out that we really don't have right now,” she said. Hay is one of the added costs as the ranch works to provide what its animals need while the property is flooded.
All of the animals are OK, Cimorelli said, but finding dry areas for them has been difficult. The ranch has brought them into the barn as much as possible while water covers the grounds. “I have nowhere to put farm animals. We got everyone in the barn as much as we can,” she said.
Cimorelli said they anticipated rain, but the amount exceeded their expectations. “We figured it was just rain. It was relentless,” she said. For now, work is centered on cleanup while they wait for the floodwater to drain away. “All we can do is wait,” she said. “Just wait and figure it out day by day.”
Flooding has also disrupted Gardino Nursery in Loxahatchee Groves, where owner Sid Gardino said a freeze and drought had already made the year difficult. Water rose to shin height in parts of the nursery, and thick mud has made walking around difficult. “We are working at 20% capacity,” Gardino said. The appointment-only business can still ship products, but customers cannot currently visit to view plants.
Its revenue losses from the flooding have not yet been determined. Gardino said conditions on the property are starting to improve, and the nursery hopes to reopen by next week if sunny, warm weather continues.