A city spokesperson says many streets flooded in Wednesday’s deluge drained in hours instead of staying underwater for 24-48 hours.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The constant flooding issues through parts of San Marco have some folks considering moving to higher ground.
Cars stalled out and water got into homes after Wednesday’s downpour.
However, Jacksonville city leaders and leaders with Haskell are trying to focus on the positives.
Areas such as Belmonte Street and Riviera Street remained unflooded overnight and were largely dry on Thursday, as the new pump station was actively clearing the water.
Nevertheless, residents on Riviera Street are finding it challenging to stay optimistic, as the construction detour is redirecting vehicles onto their street, causing floodwaters to rise even more.
“I love San Marco, it’s awesome,” said Juan Mott, who lives on Riviera Street.
Single Parent Juan Mott says he moved to San Marco last year to provide a better community for his daughters to grow up in.
He’s enjoyed the area except for one big issue – flooding.
First Coast News met Mott two weeks ago while he and his daughter worked to scoop water out of his car after Riviera Street flooded.
“My electrical system in my car is still shot,” said Mott. “I’m not happy about that.”
While still dealing with that, he got a call Wednesday from his daughters that the flooding started again.
This time, he parked four blocks away and waded through the water as cars followed a construction detour right into it.
“When the cars came through, the water surged into people’s vehicles, yards, up the steps, and completely soaked me from the waist down,” Mott explained. “It wouldn’t be nearly as severe without the traffic passing through.”
A Jacksonville city spokesperson emphasized while there still is flooding, the recovery time is significantly faster with the new pump station installed – water drains in a matter of hours in many places compared to the day or two that it used to stand in the street.
A Haskell team member said construction at San Marco Boulevard and LaSalle Street is nearly complete, then they’ll move toward Larue Avenue for 6-8 weeks before hopefully reaching Riviera Street where Mott is before the end of the year to spend 4-6 weeks swapping the stormwater pipes with some more than twice as large, helping drain even faster.
With one car dead already and another having electrical issues, Mott’s not sure he can hold out that long.
“We’re kind of finished with it,” said Mott. “I’ve already lost too much money. I’ve lost a car. It’s in the best interest for the girls and I to look for a new spot.”
Haskell reports the detour should be done this month, reopening San Marco Boulevard and sending less cars down Riviera Street in the floods.
A city spokesperson shared this statement on Wednesday’s flooding and the detour:
The project is not done but Phase I is complete and recovery time on these flooded roads is vastly reduced by the active work of the new pump station. Belmonte was clear in hours yesterday. In the past, it would have had major ponding for up to 24-48 hours. Phase II is under construction and will replace inadequate drainage pipes on some area roads. The pumps on site are temporary but hooked up to the old drainage system.
As it has for decades, flooding will continue on these roads until Phase II is complete and the entire drainage system – piping and pumps – are all connected and working together. Currently, a temporary detour is in place and traffic is directed off local roads. If you use the local detour, please maintain a safe speed and do not create any wake that may impact residents and local businesses.
