In September 2017, the Cummer Gardens were severely impacted by Hurricane Irma, including extensive flood damage when the St. Johns River overflowed approximately four feet of water into the gardens. A $1.3 million reconstruction initiative for the English Garden, Italian Garden, and Olmsted Garden began in December 2018 and was completed in June 2019. The restoration plan was created using a variety of historic documents, including historic records, plant logs, photographs, and invoices from the initial creation of the gardens. The English Gardens reopened in April 2019, with all three gardens being completed and open to the public in July 2019.