Flood Warning Issued in Florida as Hurricane Imelda Passes Offshore
ASTOR, FLORIDA — Hurricane Imelda may have shifted away from Florida’s direct path, but the powerful storm is still bringing flooding and dangerous coastal conditions to parts of the state.
St. Johns River Flooding
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the St. Johns River near Astor, covering areas of Volusia and Lake Counties.
Officials say the river has risen above its flood stage of 2.3 feet and is expected to crest at 2.7 feet, keeping the region in minor flood stage through the weekend.
Local reports confirm that docks and boat ramps have been submerged at South Moon Fish Camp, with water encroaching on buildings at Fish Tales RV Resort and Astor Landing Campground. Roads including Clair Street, Fox Road, and sections of Acorn, Hazelnut, and Redbud have also been affected.
Coastal Flood and Rip Current Advisories
A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Flagler, St. Johns, Clay, Putnam, Duval, and surrounding coastal counties, while a Rip Current Statement has been issued for stretches of Nassau, Duval, Flagler, and St. Johns counties.
Authorities warn beachgoers to stay out of the water due to the heightened risk of rip currents and dangerous surf.
Imelda Tracks Toward Bermuda
As of Tuesday evening, Imelda was about 565 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, moving east-northeast at 15 mph with sustained winds near 85 mph.
Though Florida avoided a direct landfall, forecasters warn that northerly winds and lingering rainfall will continue to push water levels higher along the river basin.
Outer Banks Impact
The storm’s wide-reaching swells also caused destruction in North Carolina, where five unoccupied homes on the Outer Banks collapsed into the ocean on Tuesday as waves battered the coast.
Looking Ahead
The flood warning for the St. Johns River is effective immediately and remains in place until further notice. The next official update is expected Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to take precautions and monitor local alerts as water levels remain elevated.
Have you been impacted by rising waters or coastal flooding from Hurricane Imelda in Florida? Share your story and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
