Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
As heavy rainfall in the area last week drained into the Aucilla River basin, water levels in the river gradually rose and reached the official flood stage of 53 feet in Lamont, Fla., during Friday evening, March 25.
The river crested in Lamont at 53.36 feet on Saturday morning, March 26, the highest on record since it reached 53.4 feet on March 11, 1988, according to the Flood Advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee for Jefferson, Madison and Taylor counties. A similar level of 53.3 feet had been previously recorded at Lamont on Dec. 7, 1976, and the river's historic high water level was 58.77 feet in 1973.
Jefferson County Emergency Management Director Paula Carroll said that her office has been closely monitoring the situation. Direct observation of the Aucilla River as it flowed under Highway 27 in Lamont on Saturday morning, showed that water was flooding into the low woodlands along the river's banks but that the levels were still considerably below road level at the bridge.
It appears that county residents have not been placed in an emergency situation due to the Aucilla River flood.
Sheriff Mac McNeill said, as of Monday, March 28, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office had “not had any calls for service reference flooding or assistance to a citizen due to water levels in that area.”
Likewise, Jefferson County Fire Rescue Chief Derrick Burrus reported that there had been no emergency calls over the weekend requiring a flood-related response. Burrus added, however, that “we do have a rescue vehicle specifically for high water rescues” should the need arise.
Water levels began to drop on Sunday but nevertheless have remained at flood stage above 53 feet into Monday, March 28, according to an updated Flood Advisory from the National Weather Service. The river is expected to fall below flood stage just after midnight Tuesday and continue falling to 50.6 feet
by Saturday morning, April 2.
Any citizen experiencing a flood-related emergency should call 911. Jefferson County agencies are ready to help.
If you live in a flood-prone area, the National Weather Service provides guidance about actions to take before, during and after a flood. Visit www.weather.gov.safety/flood to ensure that you have the latest information about how to stay safe.
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