LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Friday, homeowners and businesses along the St. John’s River in Astor said they are thankful water levels this week didn’t reach as high as levels during Hurricane Ian.
Officials said the St. John’s River reached its major flood stage of 4 feet late Wednesday night as Hurricane Nicole moved closer to Florida.
[TRENDING: Drone video shows crumbling beachside Florida homes devastated by Nicole | Hurricane Nicole unearths skeletal remains on Florida beach | Become a News 6 Insider]
Paul Simonds lives on River Road in Astor. He said his house has been in his family since the 1950s, adding that the flood waters from the river came within feet of his house.
“It has not come in the house yet, thank goodness, but you see it. It’s right there. It’s close,” Simonds said. “This one here is just higher water. It’s not coming this way, but the river is not moving. The River is just flat. Not going anywhere.”
However, water levels on Lake George, which feeds into the St. John’s River, remained high.
“The worst part of this is the mosquitoes and the dead fish. They stink, but we are dealing with it. It’s just part of living in Florida,” Simonds said.
Simonds said that he’s hoping no more major rain storms roll through the area for the next several months.
“Depending on no more hurricanes and not much rain, but it’s going to be a long time before it gets back to normal,” Simonds said.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: