After a bout of heavy rain in neighboring Brevard County, water levels along the St. Johns River have risen noticeably in Seminole County. County officials responded by closing portions of Mullet Lake Park, locking boat‑ramp gates and posting road‑closure signs as the river encroaches on nearby streets.
Local residents feel the impact
Jim Bolton, a Geneva resident, showed WESH 2 his backyard, which borders a canal off the St. Johns River near Mullet Lake Park. “It’s come up, coming up quite a bit,” Bolton said, noting that his dock, removed some time ago, would now be underwater if it were still in place.
Bolton added, “We always get a rise when Melbourne gets a lot of water,” reflecting a familiar pattern for those living near the river after significant rainfall in the region.
Neighbors warn of continued rise
Steven Hughes, who lives a few minutes from Bolton, observed the water climbing near Mullet Lake Park earlier in the week. “It’s gonna get bad ’cause it’s slowly coming our way, it’ll take a couple more days,” he warned.
Hughes also recalled selling a property closer to the park after repeated flooding. “’Til I got tired of flooding and sold it,” he said, noting the property had flooded at least eight times in the past twelve years.
County actions to protect residents
Seminole County announced that Mullet Lake Park is among several properties closed due to the rising river. “Now the gates are locked, the boat ramp is closed, and it’s starting to come up the road now,” Hughes reported.
A warning sign indicating an underwater road has been placed at the intersection of Starboard Drive and Mullet Lake Park Road, where water has already begun to flow onto the street.
County officials said Friday they expect water levels along the river to continue rising in the coming days. To help residents mitigate potential damage, the county has made sandbags available at the Boombah Sports Complex overflow lot in Sanford and at the old Geneva Volunteer Fire Station.
What residents can do
Anyone needing sandbags should contact the county’s emergency services or visit the designated distribution sites. Residents are also encouraged to monitor local weather updates and heed any further road‑closure notices.
As the river continues its ascent, Seminole County officials remain vigilant, ready to adjust closures and provide additional resources as conditions evolve.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
