The St. Johns River near Astor, Florida, is forecast to rise from 2.6 feet Saturday morning to 3.4 feet shortly after midnight Eastern, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. A flood warning remains in effect for this stretch of the river in Lake and Volusia counties. The warning applies to people near the water and to drivers who use low-lying roads.
The flood stage at Astor is 2.3 feet. The 2.6-foot reading at 9:30 a.m. Saturday was already above that level. The weather service says the river could rise further after it reaches 3.4 feet. Its Astor gauge gives residents a place to check the forecast as water levels change overnight.
Roads and sandbags in Astor
The warning identifies 3.5 feet as a level at which some homes near Wildhog, Bonnet and Snail roads can become inaccessible. It also flags low-lying areas around Bartram Road, Holiday Circle and the Astor Bridge marina. Those are potential impacts at the stated river level. The forecast by itself does not establish that those streets are closed. The weather service tells drivers to turn around if water covers the road and to leave barricades in place.
Volusia County says self-service sandbags are available around the clock at Lake County Fire Rescue Station 10, 23023 State Road 40 in Astor. Lake County says residents from both counties can use the site. The sand and bags are free. Bring a shovel and gloves. The weather service expects to issue its next river statement at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Sunday.
