MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – Streets in the Upper Florida Keys are swamped with floodwaters as Hurricane Milton brought heavy storm surges and coastal flooding to the region over the last few days.
Key Largo has been especially hard hit, with residents in some areas resorting to kayaks to navigate through the rising waters.
“This is honestly the worst we’ve had it,” said Emilie Stewart, who lives in the Stillwright Point community.
Caldwell, who was grateful for her SUV, explained that the floodwaters were so high that driving through them posed a risk of damaging vehicles.
The flooding began Wednesday night, with water levels steadily rising and forcing residents and businesses to adapt.
The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Tavernier was forced to close as water inundated the area.
“We were already starting to experience water in the enclosures yesterday,” said Erin Allison of the Wild Bird Center. Staff had to move pelicans, cormorants, reptiles, owls and other birds into crates to ensure their safety.
The non-profit organization, which takes in about 1,000 sick or injured birds a year, is expected to re-open later in the week.
Stillwright Point has a history of flooding, and plans are in place to raise roads and install pumping stations to address the ongoing issue. However, as of now, residents are dealing with the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Milton’s impact.
Local officials are monitoring the situation as floodwaters persist, with debris and garbage piling up in some areas, adding to the challenge of recovery.
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