Residents in Astor, Florida, are using a neighbor's yard to keep their cars out of rising floodwater as the St. Johns River spills past porches and into some homes.
Here's what to know
Along Wild Hog Road, residents estimated that water covered the neighborhood street about 18 inches deep in some spots, according to News 6.
Lynn Moody, who has lived in the area for 13 years, said neighbors parked in his yard to protect their vehicles from rising water.
Moody said river levels around 3.7 feet are among the highest he sees without a storm. During hurricanes, those levels can reach about 4.7 feet.
Lake County emergency management staff monitored high water on Redbud, Bonnet, Hyacinth, and Fox streets, along with conditions on Wild Hog, Acorn, Hazelnut, and Holly, a county spokesperson told News 6.
More background
Northwest winds and a super king tide were disrupting the river's flow, according to Moody.
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"It literally stops this river from flowing north," he explained.
Beyond property damage, floodwater can threaten public health, leave residents without safe shelter, and make travel dangerous.
That damage can also put significant financial strain on households.
What's being done?
Lake County officials said they had been monitoring the flooding and had started flood coordination meetings on October 9, News 6 reported. Emergency management personnel continued tracking high water across the affected streets.
Residents told News 6 that passing vehicles can create wakes that push additional water toward homes. Lake County emergency management officials are asking drivers to avoid flooded roads, which also pose a danger to motorists.
Moody gestured toward neighboring houses as he described the flooding. "They're underwater," he said. "There's water inside their houses."
Where can I learn more?
Elsewhere in Florida, residents also face flooded homes, damaged cars, and impassable neighborhood streets. These stories cover drainage concerns, recurring flooding, and damage made worse by drivers passing through high water.
• Indiantown residents demanded answers after four inches of rain flooded homes, cars, and streets.
• In Fort Lauderdale, five minutes of rain can leave Victoria Park underwater.
• Royal Palm Beach residents questioned HOA fees as streets flooded knee-deep in Porto Sol.
• In Dania Beach, drivers moving through floodwaters worsened condo damage totaling $6 million.
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