A high-capacity pump began operating Wednesday night, Nov. 4, in Port St. Lucie’s flooded Vitalia community, where residents required evacuation because flooded roads prevented them from driving out. The City of Port St. Lucie Public Works Department installed the 12-inch pump, which started running at approximately 8 p.m., according to the St. Lucie County Fire District.
The pump was moving an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 gallons of water per minute to help reduce neighborhood flooding, the fire district said. Routine evacuation operations in Vitalia were suspended overnight Wednesday and scheduled to resume at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.
The district said emergency responders remained available for fire and medical emergencies. It directed residents with immediate safety concerns or serious medical needs requiring assistance to call 911.
Vitalia residents Sheri George and her husband, Arthur, were evacuated Wednesday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aboard a swamp buggy. Their home had lost electricity and air conditioning, food in their refrigerator was spoiling, and flooded roads kept them from leaving by car. Andrea Guogas, another Vitalia resident, also was evacuated because of flooding.
FWC said it had evacuated about 300 people trapped by floodwater since Tuesday. As of Wednesday evening, the St. Lucie County Fire District had responded to 135 high-water rescue incidents countywide.
Flooding had continued for more than 48 hours. In Valencia Cay at Riverland, residents were unable to get cars out of their driveways because of flooded streets, and some said water reached their garages. Police warned that floodwater could take days to recede even after the heaviest rain had moved through.
They also warned that conditions could change quickly. They urged residents to follow evacuation instructions, never drive or walk through floodwaters, avoid closed or barricaded roads, and check on neighbors and vulnerable loved ones when they could do so safely.