By Danny Federico Riverbend News
Residents of the tri-county area are continuing to experience flooding and damage from the substantial rainfall received at the beginning of August. County Road 534 in Lafayette County was previously closed due to the opening of a sinkhole. Now, a second sinkhole has opened on the same road. In Hamilton County, residents of White Springs are seeing flooding at the Suwannee River Wayside Park off US 41, the Sophia Jane Broward Adams House on River Street and the bathhouse at White Sulphur Springs.
According to the rainfall data collected by the Suwannee River Water Management District, between Sunday, Aug. 1 and Monday, Aug. 16, the City of Jasper received a cumulative total of approximately 5.88 inches of rainfall; the City of Live Oak received a cumulative total of approximately 9.16 inches of rainfall and the Midway Tower in Lafayette County recorded a cumulative total of approximately 11.69 inches.
The Suwannee River at White Springs started the month at approximately 62.04 feet. As of Aug. 16, it was last observed at approximately 79.60 ft. The flood stage for this area is 74 feet.
At Suwannee Springs, on Aug. 1, the river was observed at approximately 50.67 feet. As of Aug. 16, the river was last observed at approximately 64.16 feet. The flood stage for this area is 60 feet.
The Suwannee River at Dowling Park was observed at approximately 33.81 feet on Aug. 1. As of Aug. 16, the river was last observed at 38.51 feet. The flood stage for this area is 47 feet.
In Branford, on Aug. 1, the Suwannee River was observed at approximately 20.77 feet. As of Aug. 16, the river was last observed at approximately 24.56 feet. The flood stage for this area is 25 feet.
The Suwannee River at Luraville, on Aug. 1, was observed at approximately 28.18 feet. As of Aug. 16, the river was last observed at 32.53 feet. The flood stage for this area is 35 feet.
To find more information or stay up to date on river levels and flooding, visit mysuwanneeriver.com.