River Flood In Astor As Rain, Wind Push Water Into River Country

    The St. Johns River in Astor has risen at a rapid rate in the past week, climbing over a foot and into flood stage. The rising water has been powered by rainfall throughout the area and strong winds from the north, two conditions that historically cause water in the northerly flowing river to stall in the river country community.
   On Tuesday, the river was at 3.05 feet, well over the two-foot marker that denotes a flood. The river had held steady overnight, raising hopes that the current flooding would be the worst of the current episode.
   While below last year's record flood of 4.58 feet, which occurred during this same time period, the river sits well above its historic median for early October, which is just over two feet. On October 2 of last year, the river was at its all-time high of 4.58 feet, a flood stage that blocked many roads near the river in the Astor area, closed the river for most all boating traffic, and brought the town economy to a standstill for several weeks. Then, emergency responses from agencies including the Lake County Sheriff's Office and Lake Support and Emergency Recovery (LASER) rallied to get people out of flooded homes and supply food and other necessities to those impacted by the situation.
   By comparison, United States Geological Survey data for the river in Sanford shows a much slower rise. On Monday, the river in Sanford was at 3.39 feet, less than a foot up over readings from last Tuesday, September 26.
   Astor’s situation is made unique both by the river’s narrower flow through the area, as well as its proximity to Lake George, which sits just north of town. Lake George is very wide, and allows for northerly wind to slow, or even reverse, the flow of water coming north out of the Astor area. Water being slowed or pushed south from the lake, combined with water flowing north from the river’s southern area and tributaries, creates a double dose of trouble when there is extra water being placed into the river by heavy rainfall.
   The current conditions so far have not warranted a large government response. LASER officials on Monday said the situation didn’t as of yet warrant its activation, and officials with the sheriff’s office said there was no immediate plan to activate.
   “The situation is being monitored as the river is currently at minor flooding stage,” said John Herrell of the sheriff’s office. “Looking at the forecast, it’s not expected to progress beyond minor.”