EDGEWATER, Fla. — As area residents continue to monitor Hurricane Helene, cities across Central Florida are getting ready with storm preparations. The city of Edgewater has experienced significant flooding in the last two weeks, and as they brace for Hurricane Helene, residents say they are very concerned about getting heavy rains.

What You Need To Know

  • As Hurricane Helene continues its trajectory, cities across Central Florida are working on storm preparations

  • On Sept. 14, the City of Edgewater got 7 inches of rain, which caused roads to flood, and left many residents stuck in their homes

  • As part of the storm preparation efforts, the City Of Edgewater has opened two locations for residents to get sandbags

Claudia Adkins knows firsthand what rain can do to the roads in the city of Edgewater.

“We experienced water about an inch away from our home," she said. "We had water coming into our garage and it was very deep on the roadways."

On Sept. 14, the city got 7 inches of rain, which caused roads to flood and left many residents stuck in their homes. Adkins said she is concerned about the standing water on a culvert right next to her house not draining properly.

As she scrolls through flooding pictures on her phone, she can’t help but feel nervous about the impacts Hurricane Helene can have in this community.

“It’s horrible ... I have really bad PTSD from everything," she said of previous flooding. "And I just hope that our house doesn’t flood."

As part of the storm preparation efforts, the city Of Edgewater has opened two locations for residents to get sandbags. One location at the southwest corner of Hibiscus Drive and 26th Street, and another at 901 Mango Tree Drive. Both locations are accessible 24 hours a day, and residents are encouraged to bring their own shovels and bags.

Denise Marie said she already got her sandbags and is now helping by getting others ready.

“The need is great, and this is the least I can do," she said. "But it’s maybe about all I can do at my age."

Like her, many other residents have shown up to volunteer and help their neighbors.

“A lot of helping each other out. And we need more of that," resident Tyler Smith said. "So I’m really loving that. A lot of camaraderie."

Adkins said she already stopped by earlier to get her sandbags and has done as many preparations as she possibly can.

“We have about 50 sandbags. We have quick dams. We have our furniture is, for the most part, going to be off the ground. And that’s all we can do,” she said.