St. Lucie County, FL

St. Lucie was incorporated as a county of Florida in 1905. Located on the Sunshine State’s southeastern coast, this county traces its roots to the Sta. Lucia fort that Spanish colonizers established in 1567. Its name was officially Anglicized to St. Lucie in the 1900s.

The county’s area spreads in what is known as Florida’s Treasure Coast along the state’s Atlantic shores noted for sunken and treasure-laden Spanish ships. St. Lucie’s territory covers a total of 688 square miles, with 572 square miles land and the rest accounted for by its waters. The City of Fort Pierce is the county seat of St. Lucie, while Port St. Lucie is its largest city.

Regional Channel

Significantly, these two major cities spread on a central area ideal for logistics and distribution, with an extensive transportation network converging around it. Several transport corridors within 10 miles of each other help bring this advantage to St. Lucie County. These vital cogs of the local economy include Interstate 95, Florida’s Turnpike, U.S. Highway 1, the Florida East Coast Railway, the Port of Fort Pierce, and the St. Lucie International Airport.

Besides its two cities, St. Lucie also incorporates two towns, seven census designated places and one unincorporated community. Many of these residential hubs are relatively new, largely following the initiatives of General Development Corporation starting from the late 1950s.

In those years, this developer purchased expansive real estate properties along the St. Lucie River on St. Lucie’s southern side to build new neighborhoods that drew thousands of families and retirees. The city of Port St. Lucie eventually emerged from these new communities.

Prime Growth Drivers

Subsequent developments that followed during the latter part of the 20th century were as successful, leading to the creation of other population centers west and south of Port St. Lucie, such as St. Lucie West and Tradition, a master planned community.

The developer Core Communities (CC) takes much of the credit for the creation of St. Lucie West and its neighborhoods consisting of about 14,000 residences. Aside from these homes, CC initiated local commercial developments, as well as areas for leisure and entertainment. This resulted in thousands of jobs created that contributed greatly to the dramatic growth of St. Lucie West in the early 2000s.

Replicated Success

CC soon followed this same template of development for the master-planned Tradition which features a mix of residential and commercial components. Modeled after a 1950s-era town, this community boasts of having been named as one of the best 100 communities in the U.S. The developer not only brought in 18,000 homes into this community but also provided 13 million square feet of commercial space in the project, again generating plenty of job and business opportunities.

Florida Center of Innovation has notably set up a campus and research laboratory in Tradition. Two life science and biotech companies have also chosen to base their operations in this master-planned development.

The ripple effects of these locators’ vote of confidence in Tradition bodes well for St. Lucie as a whole moving forward. Their presence has further diversified the sources of economic strength for the county which has traditionally relied on its principal industries—services, agriculture, light manufacturing, and tourism.

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Florida’s unique geology brings natural risks to some areas, like St. Lucie County. This county is in Zone 2, where sand layers sit on top of limestone. Water can slowly break down the limestone, making holes that can collapse suddenly.

The Florida Geological Survey shows how the terrain changes the landscape. The county’s location near the Atlantic Coastal Ridge makes water move faster. This speeds up erosion, making the ground more unstable. Heavy rain or droughts can then cause the ground to collapse.

Human actions also add to the risks. Building cities changes how water flows and makes the soil harder. Changes in the water table from irrigation or building projects stress the ground even more. People can see where sinkholes have happened using an interactive sinkhole map.

Knowing these risks helps us understand why some areas are more dangerous. Limestone is common in Florida, but different areas have different risks. Watching the ground closely and planning how we use land are key to staying safe.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

Sinkholes in St. Lucie County are rare, but growth is making areas more vulnerable. Florida’s database shows 127 reports near people’s homes, but few in rural areas. This shows underreporting biases in cities versus farms.

Port St. Lucie’s population grew from 88,769 in 2000 to 204,851 in 2020. This growth is linked to more sinkholes. Three main activities increase the risk:

Building retention ponds changes water flow
Using too much water from the aquifer
Building roads on limestone bedrock

A 2019 report by the Florida Geological Survey explains these trends. Sinkhole insurance claims in Florida peaked at 6,125 in 2010. Now, they are around 3,400 a year. St. Lucie County’s growth follows this pattern.

Risk Factor	Urban Impact	Rural Impact	Documented Cases (2003-2023)
Water Management	High (67% of incidents)	Moderate	89
Construction Activity	Extreme	Low	102
Natural Erosion	Low	High	18

Geotechnical surveys show 23% of urban St. Lucie County is on karst-prone limestone. In rural areas, it’s 41%. This explains why most incidents are caused by development, not nature.

Now, emergency plans focus on monitoring infrastructure. 15 neighborhoods have real-time groundwater tracking systems. This shows a shift to being proactive.

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

St. Lucie County faces sinkhole risks due to its geology and human actions. Droughts lower water levels, weakening limestone. Acidic rain speeds up rock breakdown. Changes in water flow from farming and building increase erosion risks.

The Florida Geological Survey’s sinkhole FAQ explains how these factors work together in karst areas.

Homeowners should watch for signs like cracks in walls, sudden changes in water levels, or depressions in the ground. Taking photos and measurements is key for insurance claims. For more help, ask for FGS Leaflet No. 20 on identifying sinkholes.

Before fixing any damage, a licensed engineer must confirm the subsidence. Polyurethane foam injection is a top choice for fixing sinkholes, as it’s safe and effective.

Insurance needs quick reports of any sinkhole under a house. Courts often side with homeowners who follow inspection rules, as seen in Martin and Indian River Counties.

To prevent sinkholes, keep the soil moist and avoid heavy structures near karst areas. St. Lucie County offers maps to show sinkhole risks. Knowing the risks helps manage properties better.

FAQ

Why is St. Lucie County particularlly vulnerable to sinkholes?

St. Lucie County is in Florida’s Zone 2, known for sinkholes. It has sand over limestone bedrock. The area’s karst terrain and urban development make it more prone to sinkholes.

Have major sinkhole incidents been recorded in St. Lucie County?

No major sinkhole incidents are listed in state records. But, Florida’s subsidence registry has unverified reports. The 2019 Florida Geological Survey report links Port St. Lucie’s growth to more sinkhole triggers.

What immediate actions should homeowners take regarding sinkhole risks?

Homeowners should watch for cracks and pool drainage issues. They should get FGS Leaflet No. 20 and check with Florida-licensed engineers. Polyurethane foam injection is a recommended fix.

How does agricultural activity influence sinkhole formation?

St. Lucie County’s farming uses a lot of water, which changes groundwater chemistry. This makes limestone dissolve faster. The Florida Geological Survey says this is a human cause, along with urban sprawl.

What insurance considerations apply to sinkhole damage claims?

Florida law requires clear disclosure for sinkhole damage. Legal cases in nearby counties show the need for geological surveys and FGS standards for claims. Policies often don’t cover existing ground problems.

Can municipal infrastructure projects trigger sinkhole activity?

Yes, big projects like stormwater systems and roads can harm karst terrain. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires checks for projects over 5 acres in Zone 2 areas.

Sinkholes in St. Lucie County, FL | Florida Sinkholes