At 5pm, the Hurricane Center declared Ian had returned to a Cat 1 hurricane. The storm pushed off-land into the Atlantic in the afternoon near the Kennedy Space Center as a tropical storm. As expected, it re-energized over the warm Atlantic waters. It is steering a new path north to Georgia and South Carolina, raking St. Augustine and the Florida coast with tropical storm winds and rains.
“This thing ain’t over”
At 11:20 am, the National Weather Service issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for our area, and at mid-afternoon extended the advisory until 9:00 pm this evening. Hurricane conditions are possible in our area overnight and a hurricane watch is in effect. Considerable flash and urban flooding are still expected. Downtown St. Augustine flooded early forcing closure of the Bridge of Lions to vehicular traffic. Despite expectations, authorities did not close the SR 312 Bridge over the Matanzas River. The trigger, sustained 45 mph winds, did not occur.
The Impact
By noon today, however, water was already pushing into Marsh Creek homeowners’ back lawns from the Intracoastal/Matanzas River.
There were numerous eyewitness accounts and photos of Ian’s impact on our community.
“Fresh water marsh also flooding. My backyard was flooded up to the house and in the lanai” – Carole Anzivino
“Most of the neighborhood is completely underwater up near the front circle. It’s awful. I’ve just never seen water like this anywhere in the neighborhood. I don’t think we had flooding like this for Matthew” – Katie Johnson
Katie Johnson took the photo below of the tennis courts underwater.
John Martin caught the flooding on video.
The backyard scene below shows threatening water intrusion rising out of the marsh along Fiddlers Point Drive.
Another view of the marsh waters rise into the community.
This afternoon, eNews reported the closure of Marshside Drive between the 10th tee/18th green of the golf course and the fitness center. Fallen bamboo made the road impassable. The roadway was cleared late afternoon.
Friday Will be a Better Day
This dismal Thursday could make one almost forget what sunshine looked like. We will see it tomorrow!
As Ian passes further north toward Georgia and the Carolinas, it will act as nature’s vacuum, drawing moisture and clouds out of our area, and leaving behind a nicer Friday and a spectacular sunny weekend ahead.
By all accounts, a storm that has wreaked havoc and destruction on our neighbors to the southwest, spared us this time. Say a prayer of thanks, and a prayer for them.
Thanks for the great reporting it’s very helpful and I enjoy them and the time you put in to make a difference in marsh creek
Thanks, John.
Informative and well written as always.
Thank you!