CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Along Black Creek in Middleburg on Tuesday, locals were getting ready for the worst as Hurricane Milton headed for Florida.
The creek is typically one of the hardest hit areas when it comes to flooding during many storms and was during Hurricanes Irma and Matthew several years ago.
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Everyone in the area is watching Milton, not sure how bad it will be but everyone is taking precautions.
As of Tuesday, the South Fork of Black Creek near Penney Farms was expected to crest at nearly 20 feet, which would mean near-major flooding.
Jackie Bryans took her children out to look at Black Creek while it was calm on Tuesday.
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Because she’s not sure whether Middleburg will relive the horror they saw during hurricanes Matthew and Irma when Middleburg homes along the creek were devastated.
Bryans works at Publix in Middleburg where the parking lot was underwater seven years ago.
Vincent Swanda is watching the water too. He lives right by Black Creek but fortunately, his property is elevated.
“I’m sure there will be some surges after. That’s what happens here. We’re used to it," he said.
For now, it’s a waiting game to see if southern parts of Clay County skate by or relive images they would like to remain in the past.
“Depends on how much directly we get hit with the storm. Obviously, we’re not at the forefront of it but what happens after. I think it’s the power. We’re most worried about the power," Swanda said.
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The county asks the residents who live along Black Creek and the St. Johns River to prepare for potential flooding.
The county will have several shelters open across our county starting Wednesday at 6 a.m., and we have our call center open for any resident questions. That number is 1-877-252-9362. We have sandbag locations open today across our county.