Extreme tidal conditions prompt closure of 3 Volusia County roads

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Three roads in northeast Volusia County have been closed due to unsafe driving conditions caused by water over the roadways.

Officials announced Tuesday that extreme tidal conditions have resulted in elevated water levels in the Tomoka and Halifax river basins, causing roads to become inundated with water.

Work crews blocked flooded streets with closed road signs to prevent cars from driving through Magnolia Avenue on Tuesday. Signs also alerted residents to be mindful of the water along Wilder Avenue that turned the street into a lake, days after rain continuously poured into Volusia County.

[TRENDING: Does coronavirus spread easily among children? | Gunman shoots 2 teens at skating rink | Michael Jordan forms NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace]

But, it’s not just rain that’s contributing to the flooding. Volusia County Beach Safety Patrol said it’s a mixture of extreme tides from two storm systems and high surf, along with the rain.

“With all the storms coming through, it’s going to push a lot of water into the coast. That water has got to somewhere,” said Deputy Chief Andrew Ethridge.

The emergency road closures include:

1. Highbridge Road from John Anderson Drive to Walter Boardman Lane
2. North Beach Street from Inglesa Avenue to Pine Tree Drive
3. Walter Boardman Lane from Highbridge Road to Old Dixie Highway

The water filled up the Halifax River and eventually poured into the streets, like outside Glenna Doyle’s shop called Salon 230 Spa Above.

“It has been a very bad issue. Every time there’s a hurricane or any kind of storm, we get a backup here on Magnolia, which brings all the debris and everything into the salon and all these low-lying areas,” Doyle said.

Doyle said she’s used sandbags in the past and spent $2,500 in floodgates to try and prevent water from gushing inside. She said the city obliges them by closing off the streets but Doyle wants a more permanent fix.

“I don’t know what can be done but I hope something,” she said.

The City of Daytona Beach said it’s not addressing the flooding in the upcoming city commissioners meeting but did distribute pre-filled sandbags to residents on City Island for one day only.

Al Yeaton picked up 10 sandbags for Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street just to be safe.

“We like to put some sandbags on the doors if we think it’s going to be a rough day or rough night. But, certainly seen a lot of it in the area,” said Yeaton.

“You sit on pins and needles and just hope for the best that you’re not going to get killed by another storm,” Doyle said.