FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Fernandina Beach Mayor Bradley Bean issued a local state of emergency for the city Thursday night after downpours caused significant flooding that impacted homes and businesses. A Nassau County flood watch expires at 8 p.m. Friday.
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The mayor shared the decision in a Facebook post to alert the community of “unprecedented, record rainfall” that’s overwhelming the stormwater system.
He said some homes and businesses are experiencing stormwater coming through the city’s wastewater system, particularly in the downtown area.
“Of course it concerns me. It should concern everybody because we want to make sure that we have a wonderful, safe town,” Bean told News4JAX on Friday. “With this much rain gathered together, this is something that doesn’t happen every day. We are all concerned. We are all thinking about them. We have the sand here tonight. Let’s deal with the immediate and then we have long-term resolutions. Please get sand and stay safe. The most important thing is that you protect your well-being as a person. We can always work on property. What we have to do today is make sure that everybody stays safe.”
Fernandina Beach experienced more than 5 inches of rain, according to The Weather Authority.
“Just water everywhere that the ditches are overflowing...roads are covered,” said Fernandina Beach resident Mel Bass. “This whole front yard, this whole thing out here was full.”
He said he didn’t go to work Friday due to flooded roadways, as well as a backed-up septic system at his home.
According to the Fernandina Beach government, the rainfall also overwhelmed their stormwater system and entered the city’s wastewater system, causing back ups in some areas downtown. The city also said volume at the wastewater plant increased by an estimated 400%, which resulted in an overflow of partially treated wastewater being discharged into the Amelia River. They said as of Friday afternoon, all wastewater was being treated.
“Our number one priority is your safety, our city team will be working through the night to do as much as we can. Please stay safe,” Bean said in the post.
Meanwhile, a Flood Watch is still in effect for Nassau County and other Northeast Florida counties until 8 p.m. Friday, raising concerns over the possibility of more flooding in the area.
MORE | Finally Friday forecast focuses on additional flooding concerns
Bean also said because of stormwater going into the wastewater system, some businesses downtown should consider closing if there are backups of their water system.
He also recommended that impacted residents consider finding other accommodations.
“This is a huge deal,” Bean said. “It is unprecedented. As I said last night during our state of emergency, it is unprecedented because we have no it has never been rained like this before.”
The city of Fernandina Beach said Monday that crews were working on an infrastructure plan to help alleviate some of the issues.
Residents can click here to report flooding or visit onenassau.com.