ASTOR, Fla. – Nearly a week after severe weather dumped heavy rain across Central Florida, flooding remains visible along the St. Johns River. In Astor, residents are watching the water closely as levels fluctuate and uncertainty lingers over what may happen next.
Although the river has begun to recede slowly, residents say the danger has not passed. Flooding in other communities, including Brevard County, has added to concerns that shifting conditions could affect neighborhoods farther upstream along the St. Johns River.
For Pam Russo, who lives along the river, even modest changes in the weather can have a noticeable impact.
Russo said wind direction can determine how water moves toward nearby homes, making an already difficult situation even harder to predict.
“So it’ll come this way. But if the wind’s pushing back this way, then it’s, that’s what’s going to hurt us,” Russo explained.
Floodwaters Bring More Than Rising Water
Russo is also paying close attention to conditions upstream.
She is worried that flooding in other communities, along with changing river conditions, could eventually affect her neighborhood.
The rising water has already carried debris down the river, including grass, pieces of wood and other floating materials.
Flooding has also brought wildlife into the area, with residents reporting alligators and other unexpected visitors.
Boat Wakes Create Additional Concerns
As residents wait for the river to fall, access to several recreational areas remains restricted.
Lake County officials said the Butler Street, Pearl Street and Lake George boat ramps will stay closed until water levels improve.
Russo said reopening the river to boat traffic could create another problem for homeowners along the shoreline.
She fears boat wakes could send additional water toward homes already affected by flooding.
“There are houses, and when the boats come down the river and they push wake, the water might not be in their house, but then that happens and it pushes it in the house,” Russo said.
She is urging boaters to slow down and consider the residents who live along the river.
Cleanup Could Be Another Challenge
For residents dealing with floodwater around their properties, waiting for the river to recede is only the beginning of the recovery process.
Russo said removing the water can be frustrating, particularly when wind direction and changing conditions affect how quickly it drains away.
“You just kind of wait it out, and I’m just waiting till the end, and then I’ll get it out,” Russo said.
Lake County said it has been distributing sandbags and monitoring conditions since October 9.
So far, county officials said they have not received reports of water entering homes.
Even so, residents such as Russo say they are not ready to let their guard down.
For now, they continue to monitor the St. Johns River and hope water levels keep falling without another round of flooding sending the water back toward their homes.
