LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A week after Hurricane Ian tore through Central Florida the impacts from the storm remain in the community.

There continues to be major flooding along the St. Johns River. Water levels are going down in some areas, but slightly rising in others.

Friday morning, it’s being experienced along the St. Johns River in Astor, DeLand, Sanford and Lake Harney.

Water levels in Astor were last measured at 4.38 feet. Flooding there occurs at 2.3 feet. Boat ramps are currently closed due to the high flood waters. 

The community is all too familiar with flooding but not necessarily water levels this high. In 2017, during Hurricane Irma, residents saw more than 4 feet of flooding.

However, Ian has surpassed that record.

To put that into perspective, Irma caused about $2.4 million in damage. Officials are not sure yet how much Ian will cost.

But Rollins College biology professor Dr. H. Bobby Fokidis said the flooding in some capacity was expected.  

“We had a lot of surface water flooding, you know, very intensive rainfall, we had a lot of rain before, so a lot of rivers and stuff,” Fokidis said.

“And ponds were already close to flood stage. So by having this extra pulse of seem like it didn't stop of rain, obviously, you've got you know, sort of a flash flood kind of situation.” 

By tomorrow, the water levels hear could increase to four and a half feet. The record is 4.6, but county officials say that was surpassed days after Ian hit.

Yesterday, the U-S Geological Survey said preparations are underway for a quote “extensive effort” to college high-water marks across the state after Ian, including in Astor.

Sandbags are available for residents to help protect their homes against flooding. Residents can get those at Fire Station 10 starting today at 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. You must bring your own shovel and 10 bags are limited per household.