Flood Warning for Santa Fe River: Rising Waters Affecting Columbia, Suwannee, and Gilchrist Counties

Photo byNational Weather Service

Minor flooding ongoing with water levels impacting roads and properties; no wake zones enforced.

[JACKSONVILLE] — Issued by the National Weather Service at 8:39 PM EDT on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

A Flood Warning remains in effect for the Santa Fe River at Three Rivers Estates, affecting Columbia, Suwannee, and Gilchrist Counties in Florida. The National Weather Service reports that minor flooding is occurring and is expected to continue until further notice, with water levels currently at 19.4 feet and forecasted to gradually decrease over the next week.

Current Conditions and Forecast

As of 8:00 PM EDT Wednesday, the Santa Fe River is at 19.4 feet, above its flood stage of 17.0 feet. The river is expected to slowly recede to 17.5 feet by Wednesday, September 4, but flooding impacts will persist in low-lying areas.

Impacts Include:

• At 16.0 feet: Lowland flooding begins on SW Santa Fe Drive south of Santa Fe Road in Columbia County.
• At 16.3 feet: A no wake zone is enforced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on parts of the Santa Fe River and Ichetucknee River.
• At 17.0 feet: Water begins to enter backyards of residences on Santa Fe Road in Columbia County and River Run Road in Suwannee County.
• At 18.0 feet: Flooding affects River Run Road in Suwannee County.
• At 19.0 feet: Water enters backyards along the Ichetucknee River.
• At 19.8 feet: Homes in the Hollingsworth Bluff area at State Route 47 begin to be affected.
• At 20.0 feet: Access to homes on Santa Fe Road below SW Riverside Avenue becomes restricted in Columbia County.

Precautionary Measures and Safety Tips

Residents in affected areas should:

• Avoid driving through flooded roads or around barricades.
• Monitor local news and weather updates for changes in river conditions.
• Follow all posted no wake zone restrictions to prevent further damage to properties and riverbanks.

Stay Updated on Flood Conditions

Residents are encouraged to stay informed as conditions evolve. Additional information is available at the National Weather Service's flood safety page.

Weather Watches, Warnings & Advisories are frequently updated by the NWS. Please look for updates to this report from the National Weather Service, or your local news channels and NOAA All Hazards.

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