Moderate flooding is occurring on the St. Johns River near Astor in Florida's Volusia and Lake counties, and the river is forecast to keep rising slowly through the end of the week, the National Weather Service in Melbourne said in a flood warning updated on Tuesday evening, October 20.

Source: National Weather Service Melbourne via GovOneStop

The river stood at 3.1 feet at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday — above its 2.3-foot flood stage and its 2.0-foot bankfull stage — and is expected to rise to 3.5 feet early this week after persistent northeast winds slowed the river's flow. The U.S. Geological Survey gauge at Astor (No. 02236125) independently recorded a height of about 3.12 to 3.15 feet on Wednesday, confirming the river is in moderate flood stage.

Source: USGS gauge via SnoFlo

Homes and roads affected at 3.5 feet

At 3.5 feet, the weather service says, canals overflow into yards, homes on or near Wildhog and Bonnet roads become inaccessible with several inches of water inside homes along the river and canals, and docks at the Astor Bridge marina and throughout Astor are completely submerged. Bartram Road, Holiday Circle and Clair Street become inaccessible, roads flood in South Moon Fish Camp, and water breaches the sea wall at Blair's Jungle Den.

The warning remains in effect until further notice. Forecasters say there is potential for levels to approach major flood stage next week if northeasterly winds increase again. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or through flooded areas, and caution is urged near riverbanks, the weather service said.