Road closures and damage assessments are continuing. Damage assessment teams are working throughout the evening to identify, document and provide damage estimates. They have identified 230 structures to date and are continuing to work in the county.
I-10 is now open westbound between exit 303/US-441 and I-75, but remains closed from US-441 to exit 324/US-90. Eastbound traffic remains closed from I-75 to US-90/exit 324. The following detour has been established for I-10 around Lake City in Columbia County:
· Westbound: Exit on US-90, at exit 324 and head West to SR-47 (US-441) in Lake City and turn right (Northbound) on SR-47/US-441. Head North on SR-47/US-441 to I-10.
· Eastbound: Exit right onto I-75 and head South to US-90. Turn left (Eastbound) on US-90 and follow US-90 through Lake City to I-10.
Veolia will be running a normal Thursday route collection schedule for the Residential garbage. We will have some Roll off set out cans for heavily flooded areas at these locations.
· CR245 and CR252
· US441 south 5 miles south of I-75
· CR18 and Tustenuggee ave (131)
· Fry Rd and CR138 Ft white.
Office number (386) 752 – 1275 hours 8:00am until 5:00pm
The Citizen’s Information Center is still operational and questions, information and other issues can be obtained by calling the CIC at 719-7530.
A public shelter remains open at Richardson Middle School in Lake City.
Flooding remains an extremely important issue. The Suwannee at White Springs has risen to 84.95 feet at 7:00 pm. tonight. Flood stage begins at 77 feet. The river is expected to crest at this level. The Santa Fe River near Fort White has a flood stage at 24 feet and was recorded at 7:00 pm today at 24.08 feet and a crest is expected on Sunday at 31.2 feet. Downstream at Three Rivers Estates measured 12.93 feet at 7:00 pm with a flood stage of 19 feet and a crest also expected Sunday at 26 feet. Roads at both rivers are already or expected to become flooded with damage to structures in those areas.
Residents expected to become impacted by flooding near the rivers are being urged to evaluate the area for their safety. There is still no mandatory evacuation order at this time. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission has had 53 rescue/assists during this emergency. They have had no storm related deaths.
