JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Several Jacksonville neighborhoods saw extreme flooding nearly three weeks ago and are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Elsa’s track.
Automac and The People’s Car Company were flooded out June 13th after heavy rain passed over Cassat Avenue.
”We call it lake Automac,” John Romberg, the owner said. “There’s no pumping station here to get the water out. So it just backs up all the way to these properties.”Romberg said there’s also not enough preventative maintenance on the storm drains.
He’s watching Hurricane Elsa’s track and is prepared to move his cars to higher ground in case of flooding.
The People’s Car Company was also flooded out nearly three weeks ago.
Automac’s parking lot on Cassat Ave. is prone to flooding. It’s why the owner is keeping a close eye on #Elsa this weekend. On @ActionNewsJax at 10: what the city and state say they’re doing now to prepare for next week’s possible impact. pic.twitter.com/DXEuobPOzq
— Robert Grant (@RobertANJax) July 3, 2021
They just replaced all of their carpeting and some computers after water damage inside the sales office.
Cassat Ave. is a state road maintained by FDOT.
In a statement to Action News Jax, a representative said the storm drains have been cleared and are operating functionally. ”Additional pumps have also been placed onsite to assist during heavy down pours. The Department will continue to monitor the area as needed.”
The City of Jacksonville said it has maintenance crews working “inclement weather sites” on Friday.
”Preparations are being made to have additional resources available for our On Call Supervisor with the extended holiday weekend,” a representative said in a statement.
“We will continue monitoring the storm’s track and make any necessary adjustments based on information provided by the Directors Office or the EOC.
”Other flood-prone neighborhoods like Post Street in Murray Hill are also preparing for the storm.
Drew Foster has lived in the neighborhood for three years.
He said crews are focused on preventative work in Riverside, but don’t clean out the drains on his street. ”If it rains even twice a day — we have anywhere from a foot to four feet of water,” he said.
JEA said it has more than 2,000 employees on standby in the event of a power outage.
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