Sandbags offered to High Springs residents ahead of Sante Fe river flooding

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. (WCJB) - High Springs Fire Department (HSFD) firefighters are offering sandbags to Alachua County residents who have homes or properties along the Santa Fe River in anticipation of water levels rising this weekend post-Hurricane Debby.

According to officials with HSFD, the self-service site is located at 17380 Northwest US Highway 441. Residents are being asked to bring their shovels and keep the limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle.

Sandbags will be available for pickup until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Water Prediction Service forecasts that the water levels of the Santa Fe River near High Springs will reach a crest of 44.1 feet as early as Aug. 9. In the past, this part of the river has reached a historic high of 48.5 feet.

According to NOAA, if the river’s water levels exceed 43 feet, homes in Alachua County off Southeast Resort Circle and Hornsby Spring near Camp Kulaqua may experience flooding.

According to HSFD officials, per FDOT, bridge closures are not yet expected. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the alert notification system to receive information like this if it becomes necessary.

Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office deputies emphasized the importance of residents living near water prioritizing their safety and evacuating promptly. They noted that while homes may not always flood, blocked roadways could hinder access for homeowners and first responders during an emergency.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.