CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Clay County officials are warning of potential flooding countywide. That includes perpetually flooded areas like Black Creek as well as small street flooding because of concerns that the ground is already heavily saturated.
Chris Hedden has his pontoon boat ready to sail out if things get bad. That’s what the Black Creek local had to do five years ago when Hurricane Irma brought flood waters to his roof.
“[I learned my lesson] when I didn’t take Irma seriously. Little floods don’t bother you but when it goes into the ceiling, it bothers you. We drove a boat almost up on the roof,” Hedden said.
Throughout Clay County residents are gearing up as they see fit. Eddie Jain operates Yume Fusion Sushi & Grill in Middleburg and said he had some flooding inside in 2017. But he feels confident Ian won’t be that bad.
The County Emergency Operations Center was heavily staffed Wednesday as officials monitored the storm. One thing they’re warning for residents is the ground in Clay County is already heavily saturated and flooding may come quickly.
“We’re so saturated now with the past few weeks on rainfall. Ponds are full. Ditches are full. So it’s really where we’ve seen 2 or 3 inches of water in roadways if we get that 8 to 12 inches of rain that’s obviously going to be compounded significantly,” Ward said.
The phone number to call for non-emergency questions in Clay County is 877-252-9362.
What else residents should know:
Curbside collection will not occur Thursday and Friday and Waste Management will begin normal routes on Monday.
All solid waste facilities including Rosemary Hill will be closed Thursday and Friday and are planned to reopen Saturday, weather permitting.
Residents can bring residential waste to any solid waste facilities when they reopen on Saturday. (Visit garbage and recycling on our website for those locations)
The Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility will be accepting residential yard waste at no charge from Saturday, October 1 through October 11, 2022, during normal operating hours of Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Residents must provide proof of residency with a driver’s license, lease, or utility bill. Commercial waste will be charged at normal rates. All yard waste transported in any type of commercial vehicle will be considered commercial.