District assists local partners with recovery efforts, continues to monitor water levels in St. Johns River

~ District Emergency Operations Center Activated to Level 1 ~

Waves breached sand dunes in Flagler County.

PALATKA, Fla., Nov. 10, 2022 — The St. Johns River Water Management District is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Nicole as it moves across the state and stands ready to assist our state, regional and local partners in their response efforts.

Tropical Storm Nicole’s strong storm surge breached sand dunes along A1A during high tide this morning in Flagler County causing water and sand to flow onto side streets, as well as across A1A in several areas.  District staff were deployed to assist Flagler County by providing three pumps to help address the associated flooding.

“One of our priorities during a storm event is to ensure we are ready and able to assist our partners in their recovery efforts,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “We have a strong partnership with Flagler County and are glad that we were able to provide assistance.”

Local governments are the primary entities responsible for emergency responses during storms, such as implementing state-of-emergency declarations, evacuations and rescue efforts during flood-related disasters. However, if additional resources are needed, they can contact the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s State Emergency Team (SERT) who is tasked with providing disaster assistance to the residents across the state. In this case, the District had the equipment needed and were able to immediately respond to the request.

District staff are also continuing to monitor water levels in the St. Johns River. Many areas along the St. Johns River, from Lake Harney north through Astor, are already in minor or moderate flood stages after Hurricane Ian. Additional rainfall will increase river levels and flooding is expected along the St. Johns River’s middle (central Florida) and lower basin (northeast Florida) as a result of Tropical Storm Nicole. If we experience a strong and persistent northeast wind, like during Hurricane Ian, the winds can drive water from the mouth of the river south, which can exacerbate the flooding in the middle basin.

Also, consider that tides and storm surge from the ocean influence the middle and lower St. Johns River. Water levels in the northern reaches of the St. Johns can rise with little advance notice.

It is important for residents to stay vigilant and to follow guidance provided by their county’s Emergency Operations Center as they are the primary entities responsible for emergency responses during storms, including evacuations and rescue efforts during flood-related disasters.

At this time, all District lands remain closed. Please check the District’s website for the latest on land re-openings at   www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/announcements/.

Visit the District’s website at www.sjrwmd.com/localgovernments/flooding/ for information and links to flood statements and warnings, river stages, and local government emergency contacts.

For more information about state recovery efforts, please visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website at www.floridadisaster.org/sert/emergency-support-functions/.