Immediate alert: warnings, timing and locations
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Flood Warning for the St Mary’s River at Macclenny and the Satilla River at Atkinson covering Baker, Nassau and Charlton counties in Florida and Georgia, in effect through 14 October 2026, 02:00, and a separate Severe Flood Warning for the Myakka River at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, FL, in effect through 15 October 2026, 20:00. The St Mary’s River reading showed a stage of 12.2 feet at 8:45 PM EDT Sunday, above the 12.0 feet flood stage, and the river was expected to crest at 12.2 feet just after midnight; the Myakka River warning was issued October 13 at 9:56PM EDT and is active from 13 October 2026, 21:56 until 15 October 2026, 20:00.
Why it matters: impacts and forecasts
Minor flooding was occurring and minor flooding was forecast along the St Mary’s River and the Satilla River, with impacts for low lying areas, timber lands and some lower access roads described for stages of 12.0 feet and 14.0 feet; the St Mary’s River was forecast to fall below flood stage Tuesday evening, while the Myakka River statement warned that picnic areas and adjacent parking lots could flood at 7.3 feet. The warnings carry a severity of Severe an urgency of Immediate and a certainty of Observed for the coastal river locations, and they cover specific communities including Macclenny and Atkinson as well as broader county impacts in Baker, Nassau and Charlton.
Safety guidance and official communications
Officials urged residents to follow emergency instructions and avoid flooded roadways; motorists were warned not to attempt to drive around barricades. The statement included direct safety guidance: “turn around, don’t drown.” For life-threatening emergencies, people were instructed to call 911, and to consider moving to higher ground if in low-lying river bottoms. The advisory also noted that “The next statement will be issued Monday evening at 915 PM EDT.”
Authorities said the St Mary’s River was expected to crest just after midnight and fall below flood stage by Tuesday evening, while the Myakka River warning remains in effect through 15 October 2026, 20:00; residents and visitors in Sarasota, Baker and Nassau counties and nearby areas should continue to monitor official river gauges and alerts. Last update: 14 October 2026. For ongoing river-stage data and additional statements consult official National Weather Service channels and local emergency management.
