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Record Flooding Brings Woe, National Leaders To Astor

    Hurricane Milton's pass over Central Florida has resulted in record flooding in the Astor area.  The St. Johns River swelled late last week to 4.8 feet, .1 foot above the previous flooding record set in 2022 when Hurricane Ian brought heavy rains to the area, according to the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration.  The river is expected to hover at 4.7 feet over the coming days, with any real relief not expected for some time, as waters from the south associated with Hurricane Milton move northward toward Astor.
    Milton's arrival last Wednesday night exacerbated the situation, as the river was already in 'minor' flood stage, at roughly 2.8 feet.  From October 9 to October 10, however, the river rocketed to over 4.5 feet, far past the 4.0 level that denotes major flooding.  The river eventually rose to 4.8 feet on Friday, October 11, a day after the storm passed through Central Florida.
    The conditions drew the personal attention U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who along with US Congressman Michael Waltz, toured the community on Saturday.  The duo was joined by Lake County Commissioners Leslie Campione and Kirby Smith, Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell, and Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood for a boating trip along the river to witness the impact of the river on area properties.
    “The damage from flooding…is devastating,” Scott said in a statement.  Especially here in Astor.  I saw firsthand the devastating and unprecedented impact of Milton.  First responders are conducting non-stop rescue missions as rising rivers cause inland flooding in communities like Astor.”
    To help ensure public safety and to be ready to respond to any emergency, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has established an emergency response site in Astor, located in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Astor along SR 40, the office mobilized to assist anyone needed to escape rising flood waters and to provide reassurance regarding the office’s commitment in preventing looting or other criminal activity that could be associated with the conditions.
    Beyond the implications to personal property, the flood is having a wider impact on the Astor economy, which relies heavily on recreational boating.
    “It’s going to screw everything up,” said Bill Nordle, who is the president of the Astor Area Chamber of Commerce.  Nordle said it will likely be weeks before the river could return to a level that would result in area public boat ramps being opened. The situation has placed the upcoming community fall festival, which is organized by the chamber in jeopardy.  Slated for November 9, Nordle said conditions may not be appropriate for the event to go on as scheduled, and it could be moved to a later date.
    But bringing people to Astor to support the town economy is more important during this time, as area businesses have lost critical revenue due to the river being shut down.
    Commenting on the economic impacts of the flood, Nordle said it is hoped people will come to Astor to support a restaurant or another business during this time.
    “North Carolina needed help.  Now, Astor needs help.”
    Longtime resident and business owner James Powell confirmed the economic outlook for Astor on Monday.
    "We've had to cancel all of our cabins at Powell's," he said of Powell's campground, where riverside docks are inaccessible and certain cabins, while on pylons, require sloshing through over a foot of rain to access.
    It’s definitely historic flooding,” Powell said, adding that the timing is bad for the seasonal influx of residents.  “This is the time our people are starting to come in.”
    Powell estimated it could be “six to eight weeks” before the river returns to normal, and that’s if no other major rainfall events occur and wind conditions are favorable.
    Powell voiced resignation that the flooding seen in recent years may be the “new normal” for the riverfront community, as development to the south is leaving water fewer places to absorb into the ground.
    “It’s got to go somewhere,” Powell said of water coming from large weather events.
    How bad is it in Astor?  Nordle said he had heard reports that heavy trucks simply traveling near the river on SR 40 are causing vibration in the ground, enough vibration that wakes are forming in nearby floodwaters and slapping against homes.