JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Employees at an Animal Care Center located off St. Johns Bluff Road in Jacksonville’s Sandalwood neighborhood are facing a soggy, hazardous commute as persistent flooding continues to plague their facility. Following a week of relentless rainfall exacerbated by the recent passage of Hurricane Isaias, the center’s parking lot remains underwater, turning a routine workday into an endurance test.
Staff members report that the deluge began last Tuesday during a powerful nor’easter that battered Northeast Florida, dumping massive amounts of rain across the region. While the area saw a brief respite from the storms on Friday, the water has shown little sign of receding, leaving the facility surrounded by what employees describe as a river.
“We’ve had this rainwater for a few days now. I remember having videos from Wednesday and Thursday, so it has not gone down,” said employee Jalyn Smith.
The impact of the floodwaters is evident both outside and inside the clinic. While the animals currently in the boarding area remain safe and are being monitored closely, the facility’s grooming salon was not as fortunate, suffering from internal flooding that has disrupted daily operations. For the humans on staff, the commute has become an obstacle course. With the parking lot completely submerged—reaching ankle-deep levels in some spots and knee-deep near the woods behind the building—staff members have been forced to abandon their vehicles along the roadside and wade through the standing water in tall boots.
Smith joked that it would take a monster truck to safely navigate the lot, but the reality of the situation is far from humorous. Wading through the water presents several environmental hazards, as the clinic is situated near local creeks and wooded areas. Smith cautioned that the stagnant, murky water has become a refuge for displaced wildlife, specifically warning that spiders are frequently seen floating on the surface of the floodwaters.
Despite the challenging conditions, the spirit of the Animal Care Center team remains resilient. Faced with the necessity of ensuring the well-being of the pets in their charge, staff members continue to show up for their shifts.
“When the tasks have to get done at the clinic, I guess that means wading through the rivers, too,” Smith said with a smile, highlighting the dedication of the staff as they continue to care for animals despite the surrounding water.
Local authorities continue to monitor the area as residents and business owners grapple with the lingering effects of the week’s severe weather. For now, those traveling near St. Johns Bluff Road are urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant as the water slowly drains from the saturated landscape.
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