‘Increasing Concern: Port Orange Residents Speak Out on Flooding Issues’

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – More rain this weekend means more flooding for several coastal areas in Central Florida — including in Port Orange off of Halifax Road.

Gail Stevens, who has lived off of Halifax Road in Port Orange since the 1970s, says this is a constant problem they didn’t have years ago.

“This was a seldom occurrence unless it was a nor’easter or a hurricane out there, but now it’s happening more and more,” Stevens said.

She explained that seawater pours over into their streets every time it rains, just like it did earlier this week.

“If it’s just a normal rain, it doesn’t happen. But definitely at high tide, yeah. It comes over the seawall and splashes into the road. Now with the disturbance out there, it comes over the road up to here,” she said.

This weekend’s heavy rain, Stevens added, brought even more trouble.

“Well, I really haven’t been out because, you know, I don’t want to drive in the saltwater. But yes, it does affect your ability to move around.”

[VIDEO: Scattered Downpours are possible across Central Florida]

The National Weather Service has extended the flood watch for several counties, including Brevard and Volusia, until Monday night.

Volusia County Emergency Management Director Clint Mecham said crews are already at work clearing drains, canals, and ditches while coordinating with state and local partners to monitor conditions.

[RELATED VIDEO: ‘Will be lapping on our door:’ Shop owners battle flooding on North Beach Street]

“Hopefully it is not all gonna come in an hour or 30 minutes and instead spread out over a few days. The systems are designed to take that kind of stress,” Mecham said.

The flood watch is set to end Monday at 8 p.m.