Wildwood officials are responding to localized flooding that began Monday evening in the midst of an intense, sustained downpour produced by a severe thunderstorm.
City Manager Jason McHugh said the city’s stormwater systems are designed to Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) standards and the precipitation surpassed system capacity for a short period, resulting in flooded streets in the downtown area. Affected areas included Main Street/U.S. 301, Gamble Street, and Rutland Street, as well as public and private roads in several mobile home parks.
“I began assessing the situation about 7 p.m. when the downpour did not let up,” McHugh said. “I was on the scene near City Hall by 7:40 p.m., where vehicles were stuck in water on Gamble Street. Wildwood police and Sumter County’s public safety teams were already there assisting. Thankfully, we have received no reports of injuries.”…