Residents in Hendry County are facing an unusual predicament as knee-deep flooding engulfs their properties, despite the absence of rain for several days. The rising waters have forced some to wade through their yards just to reach their mailboxes, and students were assigned new bus stops to avoid the water.
Neighbors on Scott Road near County Road 78 have expressed their confusion and concern, as they have never witnessed flooding like this before. The source of the water remains a mystery to them.
Joseph Wick, a resident, described the situation as "hurricane-type flooding right here."
Jamie Morrison, who has lived in Hendry County for five years, shared her frustration, saying, "We've heard everything from Babcock Ranch sheet flow to other different theories."
Wick speculated that "probably Jack Creek, got plugged up somewhere up north and then unplugged."
Morrison expressed her fears, saying, "We've never had flooding like this and it just, it makes you scared. It makes you scared for, you know, everything you have put into your property."
The WINK Weather Team discovered that an area just five miles north received 6-8 inches of rain this week, which is five times more than normal. This rainfall flowed into Jack's Branch, a nearby body of water, causing it to overflow into the neighborhoods.
Residents are hopeful the water will recede before they lose their yards and animals. Morrison shared her morning routine, saying, "This morning before I let my animals out, I'm taking a spotlight and making sure there's no gators around. So that way my animals don't become gator food."
She also urged for attention from local authorities, stating, "I understand the city's busy with tons of stuff, but this seems like it could use some attention here."
WINK News reached out to Hendry County officials to inquire about their response to the flooding. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades County has issued a warning about the health risks associated with flooding.