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Cedar Key Weathers Colin As Storm Nears Landfall

Tropical Storm Colin brings coastal flooding to Cedar Key as the storm nears landfall on Monday, June 6, 2016. (Matthew Brannon/WUFT News)
Tropical Storm Colin brings coastal flooding to Cedar Key as the storm nears landfall on Monday, June 6, 2016. (Matthew Brannon/WUFT News)

Tropical Storm Colin brought waves of water over the streets of Cedar Key on Monday.

The National Weather Service says wind gusts were measured at 40-to-60 mph in some areas, and the storm dropped nearly 6.5-inches of rain in some areas of north Florida. On Tuesday, the National Weather Service reported 6.4 inches of rain fell overnight from Tropical Storm Colin at the Gainesville Regional Airport.

On Monday, Director for Levy County Emergency Management John MacDonald said Cedar Key’s main issue, once the storm passes through, is efficiency of the drainage system’s interaction with the rising of the sea level.

“The main concern is the rainfall amounts that we get associated with that storm surge,” MacDonald said.

MacDonald said the heavy amounts of rainfall and the storm surge, tied together, block the water from flowing in and out of the drains. He said the storm surge must go out in order for the rainwater to go out as well. Having both will result in flooding.

He said Levy County Department of Emergency Management has been associated with a great emergency preparedness crew since 2004. They work together to improve the effects of storms.

“Our biggest concern is it could be a little more than they projected,” MacDonald said.

Officials are warning people to watch out for weakened tree limbs and other debris from the storm, and urging drivers to avoid flooded areas.

Priscilla is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
Matthew is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 727-492-1319 or emailing mattbrannon35@gmail.com.