JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When downpours come through the First Coast, one of the areas that regularly floods is downtown St. Augustine, so tropical conditions and a risk for flooding this week is causing concern as the nation's oldest city gears up to celebrate its 450th anniversary this weekend.
As standing water from the weekend's rains drained off the streets and parking lots around Flagler College Monday morning, crews began cleaning up, hoping the city's downtown is spotless when Celebrate 450! events begin.
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"We typically have flooding around City Hall (and) the bayfront. But under typical conditions, with that amount of rain in such a short period of time, it overwhelms the system," said Todd Grant, deputy director of public works for St. Augustine. "So, for a short period of time and we have a half an inch or inch, we can handle it."
Authorities are just hoping Mother Nature cooperates with their plans.
"We are hoping that all of this blows out of here long before Friday afternoon," said St. Augustine police spokesman Mark Samson. "As usual, when it rains here, the old streets do flood. We're just asking folks to be patient. It is all tidal here, as most of us from here realize. As the tide goes down, the rainwater does as well, so give it a couple of hours."
The flooding didn't escape the notice of tourists already in town for the celebrations.
Jerry and Peggy Glass are down from Pennsylvania to celebrate the city's birthday while they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
"We had to drive through about maybe 5 inches of water to get out of the parking lot," Peggy Glass said.
Most of the special events from concerts on Friday and Saturday through Tuesday's reenactment of the landing of Pedro Menendez, procession through the city and Mass at the Basillica, take place along the bayfront or in the core of the old city.
Crews were busy cleaning out storm drains and gutters to help water drain more quickly off the historic streets.
Whatever happens, one tourist said a little weather shouldn't rain on anybody's parade.
"(I) come from England. Rain doesn't bother me," Piers Stannus said. "It's water. It's warm water. It'll be fun."
Organizers for the 450th celebrations said the festivities will go on rain or shine.
The only thing that could delay the activities would be lightning. Police say if they spot lightning within 10 miles of this area, they'll reevaluate.
For complete coverage of St. Augustine's anniversary events and links to download the Explore St. Augustine app, visit News4Jax's Celebrate 450 special section.