Rising water from the Halifax River flooded streets, forced road closures and threatened homes and businesses in Daytona Beach on Wednesday as unusually high king tides combined with persistent onshore winds.
Near Fairview Avenue and Ballough Road, floodwater covered part of the roadway and spilled onto sidewalks, reaching businesses along the street.
At The Fishin Hole, employees were moving merchandise as water rose outside the business. Nearby resident Gary Pooler, who is retired, was helping his neighbors protect their property.
“My rent is going up because I got waterfront property right now,” Pooler joked.
Pooler said the neighborhood has experienced flooding before, but Tuesday’s conditions were among the worst he had seen outside of a hurricane. He said the entire parking lot was underwater.
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Although his own home has not flooded, Pooler said he keeps watch over a storm drain from his kitchen window, looking for signs that water is rising.
“When I see it come up, I run down here and tell them and within 20 minutes the water is up to here,” Pooler said.
A short distance away, water from the Halifax River was flowing over a waterfront wall and into the street. Several docks were partially submerged, while nearby yards were covered with water. Sandbags had been placed outside at least one home.
The City of Daytona Beach said higher-than-normal king tides, combined with strong onshore winds, are causing coastal flooding in parts of the city.
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City officials said crews are monitoring stormwater pump stations, managing stormwater pond levels and inspecting drainage systems for blockages. Workers are also clearing storm drains along Beach Street and Palmetto Avenue to help water recede as tides go out.
A coastal flood warning remains in effect for the area through 2 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The city warned drivers to avoid standing water and allow extra travel time in flood-prone areas.
For Pooler, the flooding has become another challenge of living near the river.
“So you just got to deal with it, that’s all,” he said.