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Waterfront businesses in Boynton Beach prepared for flooding amid steady rain

From waterfront dining to boat charters, businesses have been through this before
'Welcome to Boynton Beach' sign in rain, Nov. 15, 2023
Posted at 3:11 PM, Nov 15, 2023
and last updated 2023-11-15 15:19:46-05

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — At Two Georges Waterfront Grille in Boynton Beach, the water tends to come up when the rain comes down. In past storms, it's been made clear the tides and flooding combined can make for a lot of water.

Kevin Kudlinkski, the restaurant's head of operations, said Wednesday morning's high tide has him more at ease.

"We prepare (for) a lot of things," he said. "All of our electrical equipment we raise up off the ground. Sometimes the flooding will come up through the sidebar area."

He said they also monitor the water during off hours via cameras.

"We monitor it," he said.

Caution sign on wet deck at Two Georges Waterfront Grille in Boynton Beach, Nov. 15, 2023
A caution marker warns customers about the wet patio deck at Two Georges Waterfront Grille after steady rain at the restaurant, Nov. 15, 2023, in Boynton Beach, Fla.

WPTV also spoke to Chip Sheehan, another familiar face, whom WPTV's Tory Dunnan met the night of Hurricane Nicole.

"I've never seen the tide as high as it is now," he said that night. "No, it's nerve-wracking."

Sheehan is back at it, making sure his boat is protected.

"It's our livelihood," he said. "This is what we do for a living."

Sheehan, who is the owner of Chips Ahoy Charters in Boynton Beach, pointed to the rising water levels during the morning high tide.

"The water was well over here, almost onto this dock over here," he said. "I think it's just from how much wind, how much water, it is blowing in from the ocean."

'No Mooring' sign at flooded entrance to Boynton Harbor Marina, Nov. 15, 2023
A "No Mooring" sign is seen near the flooded entrance to the Boynton Harbor Marina, Nov. 15, 2023, in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Sheehan said it's a community effort.

"Kind of a cool fishing community. We kind of check on each other's boats, stay on a group chat," he noted. "I've seen boats sink here. I've seen boats get stuck under the dock."

On the residential side of the Boynton Harbor Marina, George Casey, who said he's lived here for 12 years, takes it all in stride.

Rainwater at Boynton Harbor Marina, Nov. 15, 2023
Rainwater sits on a road leading to the Boynton Harbor Marina, Nov. 15, 2023, in Boynton Beach, Fla.

"When you are by the water, winds kick up, the water gets pushed into the lagoons. It's common," he said.

The next moment to watch will be high tide. That's when Sheehan said he'll be monitoring water levels.

"You know you just have to keep an eye on everything, see what this next tide is going to be," he said.