ASTOR, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers secured funding this month to study ways to protect the town of Astor from future floods.
On Monday, a flood warning remained in effect for Astor, which straddles the St. Johns River.
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The river at this location is currently flowing more than two feet above flood stage, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“This is the worst,” said Gary Smock, who moved into his home in Astor just five months ago.
He said the floodwaters missed going inside home by inches.
“There’s people out there that are a lot worse off than we are,” he said. “The people down south — goodness gracious. It’s devastation.”
“When you make a wake, it goes into our garages and goes into our homes,” said Mary Parker.
Parker has lived in her Astor home for 39 years, and she said the flooding from Hurricane Ian is the worst she has seen.
Earlier this year, News 6 uncovered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was considering a study that would help determine how the town of Astor could fortify itself against future flooding.
The proposal was approved in Washington, D.C., and according to a spokesman, the funding to conduct is available starting this month.
According to the proposal, surveyors will work on “developing conceptual solutions on how to address the identified flood risks.”
“The analysis from this proposed effort will be provided to Lake County for implementation,” the proposal reads. “Lake County will use this information to support applying for grants to implement the identified solutions to address flood risk and improve safety.”
The Corps spokesperson said the study will take time, determining solutions will take time and money, so future flooding is still a possibility.
Smock said he is in favor of anything that will prevent his neighborhood from being underwater.
“They need to do something. What are you going to do?” he asked.