National Weather Service issued a Severe Flood Warning for the St Johns River near Astor in Lake and Volusia counties on October 10, with the warning in effect through 11 October 2026 at 12:45. The alert was issued October 10 at 9:43PM EDT with an urgency of Immediate and certainty listed as Observed as river stage observations showed significant rises on the evening of Saturday, October 10.
Why this matters for local residents
The warning was prompted by observed river stages that exceeded both bankfull and flood thresholds, producing moderate flooding in low-lying areas and prompting public safety guidance for residents and motorists. Motorists were explicitly advised not to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas and to call 911 for immediate emergencies; officials recommended moving vehicles and valuables to higher ground and avoiding low-lying river access points until the warning was lifted.
Observed and forecast river stages
At 8:30 PM EDT Saturday the St Johns River near Astor registered a stage of 3.1 feet; the advisory recorded a bankfull stage of 2.0 feet and a flood stage of 2.3 feet. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 PM EDT Saturday was 3.2 feet, and forecasts expected the river to rise to a crest of 3.2 feet just after midnight. The advisory indicated that moderate flooding is occurring and is forecast and that the described effects may occur in low-lying areas along the river.
Timeline and related watches
The Severe Flood Warning covered the St Johns River near Astor through 11 October 2026 at 12:45, with the original issuance time recorded as October 10 at 9:43PM EDT. Earlier in the week a broader Severe Flood Watch had been issued for parts of northeast Florida and adjacent areas; those watches highlighted the potential for excessive rainfall and river rises and recommended readiness actions such as monitoring forecasts and preparing to move to higher ground.
Authorities urged caution when walking near riverbanks and recommended avoiding low-lying river access points until the warning is lifted. For immediate emergencies, the guidance remained to call 911 and to follow directions from local emergency services and the National Weather Service. Last update: 11 October 2026.
