SFWMD Takes Emergency Action to Address Flooding in Multiple South Florida Counties

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The South Florida Water Management District (District) issued an Emergency Order to address the flooding in Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties caused by heavy rainfall from widespread thunderstorms. 

Additional rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for portions of South Florida, and they will further exacerbate ongoing flooding conditions over already impacted areas. 

The District has received more than ten inches of rain in the span of 36 hours in certain parts of the emergency areas. 

Submit Written Comments for the Draft 2026–2036 DuPuis Management Area General Management Plan

DuPuis boardwalk extending over a wetland surrounded by green vegetation.

The South Florida Water Management District is encouraging our partners, stakeholders and the public to provide written comments on the Draft 2026–2036 DuPuis Management Area General Management Plan.

View the Draft 2026-2036 DuPuis Management Area General Management Plan.

The deadline to submit comments is Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. All comments must be emailed to DupuisMgmtAreaPlan@sfwmd.gov.

Submit Written Comments for the 2026 Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan Update

Aerial view of a long bridge crossing a wide waterway with developed land

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is encouraging our partners, stakeholders and the public to provide written comments on the draft 2026 Upper East Coast Water Supply Plan Update.

The plan is assessing current and projected water needs in the Upper East Coast Water Supply Planning Area through 2050. The planning area includes all of Martin and St. Lucie counties, and the northeastern portion of Okeechobee County.

Read the draft documents:

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Completion of the C-23 Canal Estuary Project to Reduce Harmful Discharges into the Indian River Lagoon

C-23 Discharge Canal Ribbon Cutting

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla.— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis joined the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District to officially celebrate the completion of the C-23 Canal Estuary Discharge Diversion Project, which recently completed a successful operational testing period. The $50 million dollar project was funded and completed during the Governor’s tenure and will prevent the risk of future harmful discharges into the St. Lucie Estuary.

Results of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™

Grand prize winner posing with a $10,000 prize check

Today, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners announced the results and winners of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™, an event intended to raise awareness about invasive species while engaging the public in Everglades conservation through removal of invasive Burmese pythons. Over the course of the 10-day event, 907 Python Challenge participants from 30 different states, as well as from Canada and Vietnam, collectively removed 280 invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Environmental Leaders Applaud the State of Florida and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Signing First-of-a-Kind Agreement to Expedite Everglades Restoration

State of Florida and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Signing First-of-a-Kind Agreement

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. - This week, the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a first-of-a-kind agreement to advance construction of key Everglades restoration projects in South Florida.

State of Florida and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sign First-of-a-Kind Agreement to Expedite Everglades Restoration

Signing Ceremony for a First-of-a-Kind Agreement to Expedite Everglades Restoration

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla.–Today, the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a first-of-a-kind agreement to advance construction of key Everglades restoration projects in South Florida.

Read the Project Partnership Agreement here.