Parents in Florida expressed outrage after students were forced to wade through waist-deep floodwaters upon being dropped off by school buses amid torrential rainfall. Shocking footage from Port St. Lucie captured young students struggling through submerged roads as the storm, described as a 'one-in-1,000-year' event, inundated the area.
One video showed a 17-year-old girl navigating the rising waters, while another depicted a young boy wading chest-deep beside a floating truck. The chaotic scenes were part of a wider disruption, with some parents reporting that their children were stranded in stationary vehicles for hours, not reaching home until late in the evening. Some parents also faced difficulties reaching their children or schools due to impassable roads.
Despite warnings about dangerous conditions, St. Lucie County Schools remained open on Monday. The decision led to mounting backlash from parents who had pleaded with the district to cancel classes, citing saturated ground and existing flood watches. "We knew what was coming," one parent wrote on Facebook. "Parents were posting about dangerous conditions and begging the district not to open schools Monday morning."
Teachers and staff also reportedly urged the district to close schools, but their pleas were ignored. Officials eventually ordered an early dismissal, sending buses into the floodwaters that parents had warned about.
St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jon Prince issued a public apology, stating, "We didn't anticipate anything like what transpired. Yesterday caused a lot of stress for our families, and for that, I'm profoundly sorry." He acknowledged the unexpected nature of the event and the difficulties faced by students, parents, and employees.
The region experienced record-breaking rainfall, with some areas receiving over 20 inches in a single day. In the aftermath, schools were announced to remain closed until at least Thursday to assess damage and safety conditions.