SANFORD, Fla. – Water levels are high and concerning in Seminole County as residents wait to see what Hurricane Helene brings.
The St. Johns River near Lake Monroe is already inches below the action stage from the summer storms a few weeks ago.
“This likely will bring us back into action stage, potentially minor flood,” said Alan Harris, Seminole County’s emergency management director. “All of our creeks, our tributaries, our lakes, our retention ponds are already full. So, there’s not a lot of capacity.”
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Harris also says since the ground is already saturated, it is possible trees will fall and damage buildings or block roadways.
“We’re not talking about limbs falling out of trees, we’re talking about trees falling,” said Harris. “The root structures of these trees are completely saturated. So, tropical storm force wind was the worst-case scenario.”
Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley says his crews are ready to remove downed trees and clear roadways if necessary. The fire department also has two high-water vehicles on standby in anticipation of Helene’s arrival.
Harris says his team is watching the forecast and anticipates Seminole County could get several inches of rain.
“Even though the forecast was 10 to 12 inches for Hurricane Ian, we got 28 inches of rain, 26 to 28, inches in Winter Springs,” said Harris. “It all depends on where that squall lines up and how much rain we get.”
You can read the latest closures/cancellations and storm information in Seminole County by clicking here.
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