Parts of Astor are dealing with flooding as the St. Johns River continues to rise, according to Lake County officials.
On Wild Hog Road, what normally serves as a neighborhood street is now covered by water. Residents estimate the deepest areas are under as much as about a foot and a half of water.
Lynn Moody has lived in the area for 13 years. “Sometimes we’ll paddle around our neighbor’s houses,” he said. “If they’re there, we’ll get a beer from neighbor to neighbor.”
Moody said the flooding has gotten bad enough this week that some neighbors are parking cars in his yard to keep them out of the water.
Sandbag distribution
Residents can access a self-service sandbag distribution site.
The site is at:
Lake County Fire Rescue Station 10
23023 State Road 40, Astor
The site provides bags and sands, but residents must bring their own shovels.
Hurricane conditions can drive water levels higher, to about 4.7 feet, but Moody said this week’s flooding, with levels around 3.7 feet, is among the worst he typically sees outside of storms.
He blamed the situation on several factors. “The combination right now of the super King Tide and this northwest winds you’re feeling lately,” he said. “it literally stops this river from flowing north.”
Lake County officials say they have been monitoring flooding conditions in Astor for three weeks, with flood coordination meetings beginning October 9.
Sandbags are available for residents at Lake County Fire Rescue Station 10, which is located at 23023 State Road 40 in Astor.
Water levels as of Monday afternoon were 3.78 feet.
A Lake County spokesperson told News 6 emergency management officials are monitoring high water levels along several streets, including Wild Hog, Acorn, Hazelnut, Holly, Redbud, Bonnet, Hyacinth, and Fox.
In some places in that area, the water has moved beyond yards and porches and into homes.
“They’re underwater,” Moody said, pointing to a few of his neighbor’s homes. “There’s water inside their houses.”
Even with the inconvenience, Moody said he would not trade living here.
“You have to accept it,” he said. “It comes with it because the few weeks that it’s going to flood or the branches are going to fall and stuff like that, eh, it’s going to happen. But the rest of the time it’s absolutely beautiful here – don’t tell anybody.”
Emergency management officials are urging people not to drive through floodwater. In addition to the danger to drivers, residents said vehicles can create wakes that push more water toward homes.