Florida Chimpanzee Sanctuary Flooded After Historic Storms, Drones Used for Deliveries
A 150-acre chimpanzee sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida, remains flooded days after historic storms brought record rainfall to parts of the Space Coast, beginning on November 1, 2026. Back-to-back 1,000-year rainfall events on Sunday and Monday caused widespread flash flooding, inundating neighborhoods in Melbourne, Port St. Lucie, and Palm Bay. At the Save the Chimps sanctuary, workers have resorted to using drones to deliver food and blankets to the over 200 rescued chimpanzees. While all chimpanzees are safe in elevated care houses, the facility is only accessible by large off-road vehicles, as floodwaters have rendered golf carts, typically used for deliveries, inoperable. An overflowing canal is preventing the floodwaters from receding, posing significant challenges for staff to access the property and carry out their duties.
