It’s Raining Frozen Iguanas In Florida

Florida’s FWC turns a historic Arctic freeze into a patriotic call to arms, empowering residents to hunt invasive iguanas without red tape—proof that smart, limited government delivers real results for everyday Americans.

Story Highlights

Record 31°F low in West Palm Beach shatters marks since 1894, stunning invasive iguanas that littered roadways and slowed traffic.
FWC Executive Order 26-03 lets citizens collect cold iguanas permit-free, framing it as “iguana patrol” for property protection.
Public drop-offs peaked Monday with trappers scooping dozens, reducing nuisances that damage canals, crops, and infrastructure.
Arctic blast rivals 2010 freeze, highlighting nature’s way of aiding invasive species control without wasteful bureaucracy.

Arctic Blast Shatters Florida Records

On January 31, 2026, West Palm Beach hit a record low of 31°F, the coldest since 1894, as an Arctic blast gripped Florida. Iguanas, invasive reptiles introduced in the 1960s via pet trade, entered torpor below 45°F and fell motionless from trees onto roadways. Drivers in South Florida faced slowdowns from these frozen pests accumulating in urban areas like West Palm Beach. Wind chills dipped below freezing statewide outside the Keys, marking the first sustained cold in over a decade. National Weather Service confirmed the historic event, issuing Freeze Warnings for Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast.

FWC Launches Permit-Free Iguana Patrol

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued Executive Order 26-03 on January 30, anticipating the snap. The order suspended permit requirements, urging residents to “grab a pillowcase and join the iguana patrol.” Public drop-offs ran Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon and Monday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at sites like Tequesta Field Lab. Trappers used gloves to scoop dozens humanely, preventing bites by avoiding home warming. FWC emphasized reducing invasives that erode infrastructure and agriculture—common-sense action aligning with property rights and fiscal prudence.

Residents Step Up Against Invasives

South Florida locals, frustrated by iguanas damaging canals and crops, eagerly participated. By February 2, collections peaked amid ongoing sub-freezing chills through Tuesday in Treasure Coast and Palm Beach areas. Post-Monday, transport reverted to permit-only, restoring regulations. Residents gained relief from nuisances thriving under lax oversight, echoing conservative calls for proactive stewardship over endless government programs. Media captured “raining reptiles,” but FWC focused on utility, boosting awareness of invasive threats without taxpayer burden.

This event rivals precedents like January 2010’s mass stunning and 2022’s 37°F low. Short-term traffic hazards yielded long-term ecological wins via population culls. Economic impacts stayed minimal, with free public service offsetting cleanup. Under President Trump’s border security focus, Florida’s agile response exemplifies state-level wins against invasives mirroring national efforts to protect sovereignty.

Impacts Echo Conservative Priorities

Drivers navigated hazards from fallen iguanas, but collections eased burdens on communities long plagued by these non-native pests. Social media buzzed with photos, clarifying rare “flurries” in Port St. Lucie as dust, not snow. Long-term, fewer iguanas aid Florida’s ecology and economy, proving targeted deregulation works. No political overreach here—just practical policy empowering citizens, much like Trump’s deportation push secures borders from unwanted entries. Historic cold drew curiosity without derailing tourism.