The National Weather Service issued updated flood warnings and watches on and around October 2026 for multiple locations in Florida including the St. Johns River at Astor and the St. Marys River at Macclenny while a separate Severe Flood Watch covered parts of the Florida Panhandle from October 3 through October 5, 2026.
The advisories matter because they signal ongoing river rises, potential inundation of riparian lands and a forecasted crest that could impact low-lying properties and infrastructure in affected counties, prompting preparedness actions by residents and local officials; Lake County and Volusia County faced a Severe Flood Warning for the St. Johns River at Astor with river stages expected to remain above flood stage at 2.4 feet, and northeast Florida gauges showed a projected crest near 13.0 feet at the St. Marys River at Macclenny.
Active warnings for the St. Johns River at Astor
The National Weather Service placed a Severe Flood Warning in effect for Lake County and Volusia County until October 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT for the St. Johns River near Astor where minor flooding had been occurring and the river was expected to remain steady above flood stage at 2.4 feet; last operational status was updated on October 6, 2026, and the warning language emphasized that yard and dock inundation had already occurred in low-lying riparian areas and could persist as river stages hold.
Expanded warnings in northeast Florida and projected crests
Additional Severe Flood Warnings covered northeast Florida counties including BakerNassau and Charlton with a notice in effect through October 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM for the St. Marys River at Macclenny where forecasts indicated a projected crest near 13.0 feet expected tomorrow evening for that gauge and anticipated minor flooding of low-lying areas, timber lands and properties adjacent to the river corridor; residents were advised that a Flood Warning denotes flooding is imminent or already occurring.
Panhandle flood watch and rainfall threat
A separate Severe Flood Watch covered portions of the Florida Panhandle from 11:00 AM EDT on October 3 through Monday morning, October 5, 2026, including Central Walton, North Walton, South Walton, Coastal Gulf and Washington counties where multiple rounds of heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts up to 10 inches possible, raised the risk of rapid rises and flash flooding in urban and low-lying areas; the watch urged communities to monitor for Flash Flood Warnings and be prepared to move to higher ground and to dial 911 in emergencies.
Last update: October 6, 2026. The National Weather Service warned that river stages may remain above flood stage for an extended period and that updates will continue as gauges report new stages and local officials adjust public-safety measures.
