St. Augustine residents weigh in on new 'No Wake' law during tidal flooding
Share this @internewscast.com

Cordova Street has been inundated with flooding with high tides pushing several inches of water into the street.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Parts of St. Augustine have been taking on water for days, leaving neighbors with flooded streets from the high tides.

The general feeling among neighbors who spoke with a First Coast News team is that the flooding wouldn’t be too problematic if drivers didn’t insist on speeding through it and creating wakes that flood their properties.

Florida lawmakers passed a “No Wake” law this year designed to give them a little help.

“Beautiful,” said Susan Meyerson, who lives on Cordova Street near downtown St. Augustine. “I love St. Augustine.”

Meyerson landed her little slice of paradise last year when she retired to her dream spot in St. Augustine.

However, the price of paradise on Cordova Street is flooding at some high tides.

“I was aware this street flooded during hurricanes, but I wasn’t aware it happened during king tides,” Meyerson said. “I didn’t even know what a king tide was until December.”

Meyerson mentions that the flooding often recedes almost as quickly as it arrives, so she has become accustomed to staying put and watching the chaos as cars attempt to drive through it.

“Cars are driving down the street and causing rooster tails of water if they drive too fast,” Meyerson said.

Florida lawmakers implemented a new “No Wake” law, effective from July, permitting law enforcement to issue tickets to drivers who generate an excessive wake on a flooded street.

“That water is pushing into people’s yards and up close to their homes,” said Nancy Guarnieri, who also lives on Cordova Street.

The new law doesn’t specify an amount for a citation, but classifies it as a moving violation, which Florida statutes set the default at $60.

“It’s great, but I’m not sure how you enforce that,” Meyerson said. “If I were a police officer, I wouldn’t want to be on this corner when it’s flooding.”

Meyerson says she’s yet to get water in her home from the wakes, but says it’s come pretty close.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an impact.

“The landscaping stones here, when the tide rises, are pushed up against the house,” said Mitch Keady, who claims he must rake the stones every time it floods. “They form piles.”

Meyerson will keep trying to wave at cars to turn around when they hit Cordova during the flooded, trying to save one vacation at a time from being ruined by a stalled car.

“I mean, they’re tourists, they don’t know these roads are flooded,” Meyerson said. “This has been a nightmare.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
FTA calls for more aggressive CTA safety plan or risk losing funding as Chicago police begin added patrols

Breaking: Jesus Martinez Arrested for Allegedly Sparking CTA Blue Line Blaze at Wicker Park Station

A man is facing charges after allegedly starting a fire on a…
Australian immigrant who tackled gunman 'riddled with bullets,' but 'said he’d do it again,' lawyer says

Fundraiser for Australian Hero Who Neutralized Bondi Beach Terrorist Exceeds $2.6 Million

More than $2.6 million has been raised in support of a man…
Australian PM Albanese gets booed during Bondi Beach vigil honoring Hanukkah attack victims

Australian PM Albanese Faces Backlash at Bondi Beach Vigil for Hanukkah Attack Victims

During a solemn vigil at Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian Prime Minister…
Yale professor’s father charged in mother’s decades-old murder, says he ‘used me as bait’: report

Yale Professor’s Father Indicted in Decades-Old Murder Case Involving Mother; Allegedly Used Son in Scheme: Report

A Yale professor has broken her silence regarding her 81-year-old father’s arrest,…
Today in History: December 21, Pilgrims come ashore for the first time

Historic Milestone: Pilgrims Land on American Shores – December 21

As we mark Sunday, December 21, 2025, we find ourselves on the…
Elite Massachusetts boarding school rocked by teacher scandal and institutional cover-up allegations

Massachusetts Boarding School Faces Turmoil Amid Shocking Teacher Scandal and Allegations of Institutional Cover-Up

An esteemed girls’ boarding institution in Massachusetts, where annual tuition and boarding…
San Francisco power outage puts 130,000 in the dark, as self-driving car service stops vehicles in the street

Massive San Francisco Power Outage Leaves 130,000 Residents in Darkness, Halts Self-Driving Car Services

A significant power outage swept across vast areas of San Francisco on…
AG Pam Bondi has 'conflict of interest' in seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione, defense says

Conflict of Interest: AG Pam Bondi’s Controversial Pursuit of the Death Penalty in Luigi Mangione Case

NEW YORK — In a recent court submission, attorneys representing Luigi Mangione…
Could buying enough Powerball tickets guarantee a win?

Cracking the Powerball Code: Can Purchasing Tickets in Bulk Secure a Jackpot Victory?

With the astronomical odds of 1 in 292 million, securing a Powerball…
Ex-Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack arrested in Texas

Former Jaguars Linebacker Myles Jack Detained in Texas

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack faced arrest in Frisco, Texas, on…
RICHARD JOHNSON: Meghan Markle afraid to visit ailing father due to paparazzi

Meghan Markle Reluctant to Visit Ill Father Amidst Paparazzi Concerns, Reports Suggest

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wishes to see her father, who…
When does Girl Scout cookie season start?

Unlock the Sweetness: Your Ultimate Guide to Girl Scout Cookie Season 2024

The much-anticipated Girl Scout cookie season is just around the corner, bringing…