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River Quickly Rises To Flood Stage In Astor

    A relatively dry summer has been experienced throughout much of Florida, but a recent rain event has pushed the St. Johns River in Astor into major flood stage.  On Tuesday, the river was measured at nearly 3.2 feet, above the 3.0 level that indicates moderate flood stage, and well above the 2 foot action stage.
    The river spiked in level ahead of this past weekend, rising from under 2.5 feet to 3.0 feet from September 9 to September 10, according to data from the US Geological Survey.  As a result the river through Astor has been placed on a ‘no wake’ designation to protect the shoreline and property from potential damage.
    The situation has been made worse by winds out of the north. Brought by the season’s first cool front, the wind reversed the river’s northerly flow, causing water to flow backwards.  When that water met northerly flowing water from the south, Astor’s narrow section of river saw a spike in water level.
    In recent years, September flooding has been common in Astor.  This year’s event, however, arrives even as much of the area has seen below normal rainfall.  While enough rain has fallen to keep the fire danger low, data from the Florida Climate Center indicates that every month his year - except for January and May - has seen less rainfall than last year.
    Much of the historic flooding in Astor comes from rainfall at points south throughout Central Florida.  Water feeds into the river system in east Central Florida and flows north.  The geographical elements that cause the river to bottleneck in Astor make the rural community particularly susceptible to flooding.  However, the condition has seemed to worsen in recent years, as fall floods have become an annual occurrence.  Locals have supposed the worsening flood conditions have been brought about in part to large amounts of development in areas south, with water being diverted into the river system rather than being allowed to naturally percolate into undeveloped soil.
    With the river already at flood stage this year, fears are rising that a tropical storm system bringing high amounts of water could make matters much worse.
A    lready, a no wake requirement has been placed on boaters using the river through Astor, and sandbags are available at the Astor fire station, located on SR 40 between Astor and Astor Park. Flooding of roads and yards is being experienced in low-lying areas, and those experiencing problems related to the high water can call the Lake County Office of Emergency Management at 352-343-9420.
    County officials this week acknowledged the community is in a precarious situation.
    “It's never ideal for a pre-landfall rain event to occur prior to a tropical cyclone impact,” said Lexie Farmer, public information officer of public safety. “However, we do not currently have any formed storms that are threatening Lake County.”
    Farmer said the county is ready to step up quickly should conditions worsen.
    “The Lake County Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor the river levels closely. It will provide flood prevention and mitigation resources to residents should the county fall into a forecast cone for a tropical cyclone.”