CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Black Creek continues to rise from Tropical Storm Debby’s deluge, reaching just under 20 feet on the north fork as of 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Major flooding is probable when the creek surpasses 21 feet.
Water is already creeping into the homes of those who live near the creek, and News4JAX spotted flooded roads in Middleburg, like Lazy Acre Road.
The neighbors who live there said they are used to seeing significant flooding shut down the road outside their homes along the north prong of Black Creek.
“In 2010, we saw the top of that double wide there, we could touch the roof with the boat. That’s how deep it was. It was about 30 feet deep,” Don Green said.
About 5 minutes away on a different side of Lazy Acre Road, Red Bug Alley was also flooded.
Clay County officials say there is no evacuation order in place but they encourage residents to keep track of how high the water is getting.
Flood stage for the north portion of Black Creek started at 16 feet.
Tim Devin, the emergency director for Clay County confirmed crews were out doing damage assessments. Devin said between 500 to 1,000 people could be affected by Black Creek flooding.
He said water on the south prong is receding but water on the north prong continues to rise.
“They should be taking those measures of going to a friend’s house or staying at a family member’s house. We do have a host shelter on standby if we need to open it for those residents to go to,” Devin said.
According to NWS Jacksonville, the South Fork of Black Creek is at just under 16 feet as of 8:30 a.m.
Flood stage for that portion of the river is at 14.5 feet.
8/6 4am
— NWS Jacksonville (@NWSJacksonville) August 6, 2024
🌊Black Creek is expected to rise and go into minor and moderate flooding.
📱Stay updated with current River Forecast:
North Fork: https://t.co/cpIroNefpv
South Fork: https://t.co/ngYJdQ2AeI pic.twitter.com/znVZE6ryic
On Monday, there were multiple reports of downed trees and fallen power lines in Clay County as the outer bands of what was then Hurricane Debby blew through the area.
MORE: Viewers in Northeast Florida share photos of flooding, damage as Hurricane Debby makes landfall
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said deputies responded to at least one call of a tree falling on an occupied car and encouraged all residents to stay off the roads if possible.
The Sheriff’s Office said the tree fell on a car at Brickhouse Avenue and County Road 214 near Keystone Heights but luckily no one was hurt.
Cook said there are additional deputies on the street to provide help to anyone having issues.
“It’s just not safe out there and I would like to strongly encourage you to please stay off the roads,” Cook said. “But if you do have to drive and you come up to an intersection where the lights are malfunctioning. Please remember to treat it as a four-way stop.”