Trump’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ floods just one day after 'hurricane-proof' claim, sparks mockery

OCHOPEE, FLORIDA: Just one day after its grand opening, and a visit from President Donald Trump, the controversial new migrant detention center known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ was already under water.

Nestled deep in Florida’s Everglades, the tent facility experienced minor flooding following nothing more than a typical summer shower.

The National Weather Service in Miami estimated that around an inch and a half of rain fell after Trump’s visit, raising serious questions about the site's preparedness and safety.

Flooding hits Donald Trump’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ hours after opening, raising safety concerns

On July 1, during the grand opening of the new migrant detention center, marked by an in-person visit from Donald Trump, local journalist Jason Delgado captured troubling footage of water leaking into the facility.

His video revealed rainwater seeping along the base, puddles forming on the floor, and runoff dangerously close to exposed electrical wiring, all while rain pelted the tent’s roof. 

According to the weather site RainDrop, only about a quarter-inch of rain fell near Ochopee.

Despite being touted by Florida officials as hurricane-resistant and capable of withstanding a Category 2 storm, the facility struggled to stay dry under minimal rainfall.

The unexpected flooding was confirmed by state emergency spokesperson Stephanie Hartman, who downplayed the incident. “Overnight, the vendors went back and tightened any seams at the base of the structures that allowed water intrusion during the heavy storm, which was minimal,” Hartman said.

The facility, which, oddly enough, has inspired its own line of merchandise sold by Florida Republicans, has faced sharp backlash, with critics calling it unsafe and deeply dehumanizing for those held inside.

Meanwhile, Trump adviser Stephen Miller, a key architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies, came to the defense of the facility.

In an interview with Fox News, as reported by DailyBoulder, he deflected criticism by shifting blame: “What’s ‘dehumanizing’ is when American citizens are stripped of their rights and their liberties by the invasion of illegal aliens. What’s ‘dehumanizing’ is when Democrats let illegal alien rapists into the country to attack our children. That is ‘dehumanizing.’”

Donald Trump's migrant detention center built on a remote airstrip in Florida

The newly opened migrant detention center, the brainchild of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who coined the nickname “Alligator Alcatraz”, is located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, a sprawling 39-square-mile site near Big Cypress National Preserve.

Built on a remote airstrip with a 10,000-foot runway, the facility is designed to hold up to 3,000 migrants. According to the Trump administration, the surrounding wetlands, teeming with alligators and other wildlife, are meant to serve as a natural deterrent to escape attempts.

Internet mocks the flooding at Donald Trump's 'Alligator Alcatraz'

Videos and images showing the Florida migrant detention center flooding after a light rain quickly spread online, sparking widespread criticism and raising serious questions from social media users who are also mocking about the facility’s safety and preparedness.

One person mocked, "Next the alligators and snakes will be waddling through the news conference area...lol 🐊🐍 whoops the snakes were there already. 😂" 

A user joked, "Alligators better swim this way." "That is a flood? Lmao," asked another. A Facebook user shared, "Where are the immigrants to mop up the mess? 😂😂 Oh right😂"

A commenter noticed, "Love the electric cords in water.. stand right up to the microphone Trumpass. 😂🤣"

One social media user said, "😂😢Put Trump and DeSantis there to live.😮😭" One individual claimed, "T's not even raining that much today, it only rains hard like this for 2 minutes 😒 hurricane season is going to be fun😮😂"

One user asked, "Look at the bottom right video, there is an electrical wire on the flooded floor. This is shocking! Can you imagine what will happen if they get hit with a hurricane?"

Another person questioned, "Is there a way to look up whether the site has a history of flooding?"

A frustrated internet user wrote, "What would the cost of a steel building been seems to me the gov has the crew and tools why can’t they build a permit site and bigger somthing that can hold a couple thousand with an air strip for deportations."

A commenter reminded, "And this is just a normal recurring rainstorm in Florida. imagine what kind of disaster. It will be when there’s a hurricane!"

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online