Rising St. Johns River levels prompt sandbag sites, flood warnings in Volusia County

The St. Johns River is rising in Volusia County, and while the area has not seen the heavy rainfall that other parts of Central Florida have experienced, water is now making its way north.

On Wednesday, Gov. DeSantis expanded the state of emergency declaration to include Volusia, as well as Lake and Seminole counties.

Near Lake Beresford in DeLand — which is connected to the St. Johns River — water has already crept well beyond its normal shoreline onto nearby properties. Volusia County officials say the impact will be felt most toward the end of the week, and they are urging residents to begin making preparations now.

Brian Quilling, who owns property near Hontoon Island, says his family is already taking steps to protect their land.

“Just a little things to prepare,” said Quilling. “You start doing some stuff like get your sandbags ready. I thought about digging a — just putting a big levee all the way around the property.”

Quilling says repeated flooding from hurricanes in recent years has made preparation second nature for his family.

“They get floods all the way into the roadway and so even though it drains down here and down there, it’s draining all the stuff from up there and it doesn’t help everything right here coming from the lake,” said Quilling.

Volusia County did not experience the rainfall that hit Brevard County and other areas to the south. Because the St. Johns River flows north, however, county officials say much of that water will eventually make its way into Volusia, potentially spilling into roadways and onto private properties.

The county is urging anyone living near the river to fill sandbags and stock up on several days’ worth of household supplies. Quilling says his family is doing just that — while keeping an eye on the forecast.

“If it slows down, the rain will slow down, then it’s okay. It’ll go down and the fish are at least loving it,” said Quilling.

A self-serve sandbag site is available in Osteen at Volusia County Fire Rescue Station 36, 180 N. State Road 415. The site operates daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. Sand and bags are provided at no cost.