Citrus groves at Greene Sugars Farm in Vero Beach have been underwater for more than a week despite pumping every morning and night. Flooding from last week’s heavy rain has put crops, trees and livestock in jeopardy at the multigenerational, family-owned operation.
Aubrey Greene said the farm received more than 10 inches of rain in a single night. Water has flooded the groves from trunk to trunk, with heavy pumping twice a day as the flooding persists.
Greene Sugars Farm has 800 acres of lemon trees, 50 acres of sugar belle trees and thousands of cattle. The farm produces roughly 60,000 to 80,000 boxes of citrus each year and has a contract with Coca-Cola.
Greene said the farm had a great citrus season last year and had anticipated another good year before the flooding threatened the operation’s crops, trees and livestock.