, Fla. — Three more counties in Central Florida are now under a state of emergency from deadly fall floods.
Gov. Ron DeSantis added Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties to his executive order marking a state of emergency, brining the total number of counties to 14. The declaration gives counties the ability to get emergency funding from the state’s emergency preparedness and response fund.
The counties under the order include Brevard, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Volusia Counties.
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it is forecasting the St. Johns River near Sanford to reach minor flood stage by Friday cresting as high as 6.4 feet by Monday.
The federal government said at those levels water would completely surround many homes in the Stone Island and Still Brook subdivisions. It also said roads would flood around Enterprise Road and the Bethel Loop subdivision as well as flood pooll enclosures and patios.
If the the crest would reach 6.5 feet, NOAA said the water would enter a few lower lying homes in the Stone Island and Stillbrook subdivisions as well as low lying properties near Sanford. It also predicted the roads into Stone Island would become impassable.
Victor Lebron said the river is “super high” after boating along the St. Johns River on Wednesday. He said further north the water is getting closer to properties around the water.
A lot of water close to the property,” Lebron said. “So I bet they’re nervous about all the water coming up. So I hope it doesn’t keep going.”
Seminole County said it closed Black Bear Wilderness Area, Cameron Wight Park, Mullet Lake Park and Econ Canoe Launch due to recent flooding from heavy rainfalls and high water levels on the St. Johns River.
The county is also starting sandbag operations to prepare for possible flooding. It’s offering 3,000 pre-filled sandbags to residents on a first-come, first-served basis. People can also fill their own bags at the Old Geneva Volunteer Fire Station, Boombah Sports Complex Overflow Lot and Central Winds Park
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