District deploys pumps, staff to alleviate flooding in north Florida

at
Dr. Ann Shortelle visiting staff that are pumping floodwater in Palatka

District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle, Tommy Greer and D.J. Brock were onsite Tuesday to pump floodwaters from a health care facility in Putnam County.

District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle, Tommy Greer and D.J. Brock were onsite Tuesday to pump floodwaters from a health care facility in Putnam County.

PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 12, 2017 — The St. Johns River Water Management District is assisting Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties by deploying pumps and staff to assist in recovery efforts from flooding caused by Hurricane Irma.

Pumps are being distributed today to assist with flood recovery in Hastings and Porpoise Point in St. Johns County; Malacompra Road in Flagler County; and in Putnam County.

District staff also will be participating in damage assessment teams as requested by local government partners. The district is committed to assisting local and state governments to expedite their recovery efforts by participating in flooding assessments, site inspections and other activities.

Additionally, staff will work with permit holders by expediting permits to get businesses and residents back up and running quickly. District regulatory staff are available to answer questions or issue emergency waivers to assist with the recovery effort. For assistance, please contact district ombudsman Jimmy Peluso at jpeluso@sjrwmd.com.

Other operational updates are:

  • District offices are closed through Tuesday while those facilities are being assessed for damage and repairs are made.
  • Due to water damage to the Governing Board room at the district’s Palatka headquarters, the district’s September board meeting will be held on Sept. 19 at the Maitland Service Center, 601 South Lake Destiny Road, Suite 200, Maitland, FL 32751. The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
  • The tentative millage and budget hearing will be held at 5:05 p.m., Sept. 19, also at the Maitland Service Center.
  • All district lands currently remain closed.
  • Staff are inspecting construction sites, levees and structures to ensure they are functioning properly.
  • On Monday, the district began diverting water from the Upper St. Johns River Basin Project to reduce floodwaters flowing north, providing flood protection for people and property downstream. The district closed Structure 96B (S-96B, or the “Stick Marsh”) and four gates at S-161 and S-161A (Jane Green) to help alleviate extreme flooding in the river’s lower basin in Jacksonville.

For continuing updates on district operations, visit the district’s website, www.sjrwmd.com.