A long way to go

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June 27, 2012

A long way to go

Staff Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Wed Jun 27, 2012, 08:56 AM EDT

Live Oak — About 75 people are seeking shelter at the Suwannee County Coliseum after they had to retreat from flood waters, Sheriff Tony Cameron said. No serious injuries were reported in the county.  We have a long way to go before all the water recedes, Cameron said. He said that people were still being evacuated early this morning.  Among the devastation are several destroyed homes and many businesses under water. Cameron said that most businesses should be able to recover. “I think most of them are salvageable,” said Cameron. “Most of these buildings have been flooded in the past.” As far as how many homes may be destroyed, Cameron said it’s “too hard to tell right now. We won’t know until the water recedes a little.” That may be awhile, however. While some roads are back open due to receding water, some remain impassable. The downtown district and other low lying areas around Duval Street in the northern part of the city and other areas in the county will have to be pumped to remove the water, Cameron said. Cort Davis said he lost everything he owns. He said he just moved and placed his belongings, save for the clothes on his back, in a local storage facility. He said his unit was flooded and everything is destroyed.  “I’ve lost everything,” said Davis. Davis’ business, Leona’s Seafood on East Duval Street, is closed until further notice. The roof collapsed in part of the building and he said there was three to four feet of water in the building Tuesday. “It’s crazy. This (business) is the only thing I have now,” said Davis. Some roads are back open. On West Howard Street, in front of Live Oak Gathering Cafe, water was blocking the road. Cameron said that around 3 a.m. the water was gone.  “The water is receding, but as fast as I’d like,” said Cameron. “Most roads should be open in a couple of days.” Cameron said sink holes still pose a threat in the county. He said he knows of three in the city limits and several in the Wayne Frier’s Trailer Park off US 90 West. Now, Cameron said the cleanup begins. While that takes place, he said emergency officials will continue searching the county for those that may need evacuating. The shelter at the Coliseum is located in the exhibition hall. There is also accommodations for those that have special needs. Cameron said the shelter will stay open “as long as there’s a need.” Cameron said that one attempted burglary took place during Tropical Storm Debby’s pounding. While most businesses were closed, an unknown subject tried forcing his way into a closed convenience store in the Houston area around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Houston is located in the eastern part of the county.  “(The store) had an audible alarm. When I arrived I found a pry bar where they pried some plywood but they didn’t gain entrance,” said Cameron, who was near the area when the call from dispatch came in. Now, Cameron said thoughts are now shifting to what are the rivers going to do? Flood warnings are in effect for the Suwannee River at White Springs, the Suwannee at Suwannee Springs, the Aucilla at Lamont, and the Santa Fe gages. Rainfall in excess of 15 inches has fallen in Hamilton and northern Columbia counties, causing a rapid rise of the Suwannee at White Springs and major flooding. The Suwannee at Suwannee Springs is expected to rise above flood stage later today. The Suwannee at Ellaville, Dowling Park, and Branford are not expected to rise above flood stage at this time, but the levels will be the highest since 2009. People on the Suwannee downstream of the Santa Fe (Rock Bluff, Wilcox, Manatee, and Fowler gages) should expect rises to near or slightly above flood stage early next week according to early forecasts, because of flooding on the Santa Fe. The rising water at the Suwannee at White Springs will take several days to get downstream to the middle- and lower-Suwannee. People downstream of Ellaville need to monitor forecasts, but be aware that past storms like this did not cause major flooding downstream on the Suwannee. Please give the NWS time to assess the flooding upstream and route it downstream realistically. In addition, the Withlacoochee and Alapaha did not receive totals like the upper Suwannee Basin and rises on these rivers have been modest. People on the lower Withlacoochee need to monitor both the Pinetta and the Ellaville gages because the Suwannee is causing backwater on the Withlacoochee.  In the meantime, Suwannee County is still under a boil water alert for all residents of the county, including those on private wells.

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