Official Press Release
Initial reports from damage assessment crews lead county officials to believe the damage reports for flood waters associated with Tropical Storm Debby may exceed initial estimates.
Crews assessed the following areas:
- Aquarius Concourse
- Arora Blvd.
- North Bellair
- Tanglewood subdivision
- Greenwood subdivisions
- Orange Park South
These efforts will continue throughout the weekend, with areas being assessed as they become accessible to crews. Damage data will be compiled for county officials and will assist State and FEMA damage assessment crews when they arrive in Clay County.
All damage should be reported to the Clay County hotline @ (904)284-7703. It is imperative that all reports of damage are recorded through the EOC.
The following roadways remain closed or impassable as of 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The Clay County Sheriff’s Department personnel will monitor stricken areas.
- CR 218W at Jacaranda Avenue is open
- CR218W at Country Estates remains impassable-repairs to restore limited access across this roadway are anticipated to be completed within two weeks. Complete repair efforts may take longer
- Scenic Drive E (can access to 4001)
- Scenic Drive W (can access to 4124)
- Lazy Acre Dr (East side can be accessed to 4055; west to 4191)
- Red Bug Alley remains under water
- Main Street (under water from 3749 to the end)
- Hill Road (can access to 2173)
- Forest Drive (under water)
- Creek Street (under water)
- Enchanted Lane (under water)
Additional roadways may still be affected. County Public Works personnel continue to improve affected roadways.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department cautions residents against driving past any barricades, due to water hazards in closed roadways. No vehicles should be driven into roadways which are covered with water.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Fish and Wildlife Commission continue to maintain personnel and watercraft in the Black Creek area.
The Red Cross will have volunteers distributing “comfort kits” to residents at Fire Station 14, 4003 Everett Ave., Middleburg, from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
**This is not a location to report damage. All damages should be reported to (904) 284-7703.
Storm-related debris collections:
Storm-related debris (structural and vegetative), should be placed curbside for collection. An agreement with a contracted debris-removal collection company has been put into place, with collections to begin in flood-affected areas only at the end of next week (approximately July 6). Once collections begin, a schedule of pickup days/locations will be published so that residents know when to anticipate pickups. Residents are urged to get all debris to the curb as soon as possible to ensure the contractors are able to remove the maximum amount of debris.
Alan Altman, Director of Clay County Environmental Services, urges residents to assist in this process with separation of debris from standard household garbage. Storm-related debris should not be containerized or bagged, and should be placed at least 10 feet apart from cans or bags of household garbage.
What will be picked up: lumber, drywall, insulation, carpets, flooring products, appliances and furniture
What will not be picked up: chemicals, pesticides, tires, paint cans (these items should be transported to the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility, 3545 Rosemary Hill Road, Green Cove Springs)
Regular household garbage and weekly yard debris pickups will be conducted on existing pickup schedules.
Creek Levels:
Thursday: 18.14’
Points of Interest:
- EOC: The Clay County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is operating on Level 1 activation, 0800-2000 hours
- Call Center: The EOC Call Center will remain open throughout the weekend, from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m.
- Boat ramps: Old Ferry and Main St. boat ramps remain closed
- Weather: upper 90’s for the next few days; heat index 100+ degrees
- Health concerns:
- mosquitoes, snakes, ants, and other wildlife
- Insect repellant should be used
- Residents should not walk through or allow children to play in flooded areas
Clay County Health Department inspectors will be available for well and septic inspections Monday morning. Residents wishing to have their systems inspected should call (904) 529-2840. Flooded well heads should be treated as contaminated until examined by Health Department officials. Residents should drink boiled or bottled water.
Record heat may create health concerns for those working to clean up flood debris. Residents are encouraged to hydrate well, and to wash with soap and water following contact with flood waters.