Stone Island in Volusia County still dealing with significant flooding issues after Ian
More than two weeks after Ian unleashed record rainfall in communities across the state, residents of Stone Island are still using portable toilets provided by Volusia County.
"None of us can really use any of our plumbing," said Andrew Hulcher, president of the Stone Island Homeowners Association.
The nearly 8.5-foot water level reported by the National Weather Service at 11:30 a.m. Monday was a sign portables would still be utilized, likely throughout the week, in the unincorporated neighborhood just south of Deltona on Lake Monroe.
"With the water levels where they are, they’re not able to turn the pumps on, and that’s the biggest challenge," Hulcher said by phone Monday.
Ian's impacts: St. Johns River in Volusia County sees record-breaking flooding
Record-breaking rainfall: Deltona sees widespread flooding after Ian hits region
After Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, the sewage pumps couldn't be turned back on until the water was at about 7.5 feet, Hulcher said.
Historically, the water recedes by ¾ of an inch per day, Hulcher said.
He estimated that 60-70% of Stone Island's 230-plus homes sustained some level of water intrusion.
While some residents with trucks or lifted vehicles are able to get in and out of the neighborhood, others must do so by boat.
Hulcher said Sheriff Mike Chitwood had deputies posted at the entrance following Ian to confirm those coming into the flooded neighborhood were indeed residents.
"We get a lot of people who come out and just want to see the devastation which pushes the water up into the homes," Hulcher said.
Residents frustrated after Deltona opens 'Big Ditch'
Additionally, residents were frustrated when they learned Deltona officials opened up the "Big Ditch," ahead of receiving emergency authorization from the St. Johns River Water Management District, to help alleviate flooding in the Lake Theresa basin.
Hulcher said the HOA is looking into the matter to determine just how much of an impact that action had on Stone Island.
"Any water in our direction isn't helpful," Hulcher said.
Last Thursday, the city received emergency field authorization from the water management district to operate the gates for the Lake Doyle to Lake Bethel emergency overflow interconnection, Ruben Nazario, of Deltona's communications and marketing department, said via email Monday afternoon.
The authorization expires Dec. 6 or when the lake level control elevation recedes to 23.5 feet, Nazario said. It was at about 25.3 feet Monday morning.
The maximum flow through this outfall structure would be 75 cubic feet per second, Ashley Evitt, a spokesperson for the water management district, said via email Monday afternoon.
The current measured flow in the St. Johns River near Lake Monroe is 15,300 cubic feet per second, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Deltona, over the past couple of decades, has made requests to open the outlet to alleviate high waters, but area residents have pushed back against seeing the natural water feature drained.
Major flooding from St. Johns River
The National Weather Service continued issuing flood warnings for the St. Johns on Monday.
In addition to the river at Lake Monroe remaining in the major flood stage, other local areas of the St. Johns were in a similar position.
Near Astor, where 4 feet is considered major flood level, the water was recorded at about 4.2 feet Monday afternoon. The hydrograph shows the river starting to recede slowly by Wednesday afternoon.
In DeLand, the water was recorded at just over 6 feet Monday afternoon and was forecast to recede slowly over the news few days. The major flood stage is 5.3 feet.
The river above Lake Harney was recorded at about 11.3 feet Monday afternoon; major flood stage is 10 feet. The forecast shows the level dropping below 11 feet early Friday morning.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stone Island, Florida still dealing with flooding after Ian
