Storms impact Northeast Florida

Severe weather affects air travel, heavy rains flood streets

Storms sweeping through Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia on Wednesday affected air travel, flooded streets and caused property damage. 

If you have photos of damage or damage report updates, you can email them to webteam@wjxt.com.

A very weak tornado was reported just before 9 a.m. just south of Summer Haven in St. Johns County.

According to officials, it began as a waterspout on the Intracoastal Waterway and passed across a barrier island and into the ocean, but in the time it took to be reported over the radio, it was over.

No damage was reported.

PHOTOS: Severe weather moves across area

Travel impact

Jacksonville International Airport began experienced delays about noon because of the severe weather.

All flights scheduled for departure until 4 p.m. from JAX were delayed, and many arrivals were pushed back as well.

One man told News4Jax it took him almost an hour just to get to the airport as he drove through the storm.

To check for the latest flight updates, go to flyjacksonville.com.

Flooding

Flooding was reported in the McCoys Creek area from Fitzgerald to Nixon streets. Water was up to 2 feet deep in some spots.

WATCH: McCoys Creek residents concerned about flooding

The flooding closed off at least five blocks of McCoys Creek Boulevard as water made the roads impassable. 

"When it rains hard, it always floods down there. Cars get stuck. Trucks get stuck," Charee Robinson said.

Frustrated residents said the repeated flooding affects travel and brings in mosquitoes. Neighbors, including Noah Davis, said they also believe the flooding is declining the value of the area.

"The bigger issue is attracting people to the area and that's not going to happen whenever you have negligence like this," said Davis, whose family has lived in the McCoys Creek area for more than four decades. 

Davis told News4Jax that he has contacted the city about fixing the problem, but was told it won't be addressed until next year.

"I spoke to two people or three people on different occasions, trying to get it moved up. But the earliest scheduled dredge is scheduled for January," Davis said. 

In Mayport, streets were flooded after nearly 3 inches of rain fell Wednesday afternoon. Residents in the Admiral's Walk mobile home park off of Mayport Road shared frustrations similar to those in McCoys Creek, saying it floods every time it rains.

One homeowner in the neighborhood told News4Jax that the floodwater came all the way up to his front porch. He also said the flooding has damaged his vehicles and cost him a lot of money.

The Black Creek area in Middleburg typically floods in heavy rain and the water did rise Wednesday to about 13 feet. Flood stage is around 14.5 feet. The last major flood in the area was in 2012 after a tropical storm, and residents remember and are keeping an eye on the creek.

Property Damage

No substantial damage reported.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue spokesman Jeremy Robshaw said firefighters responded to a home on Waterfront Drive around 1 p.m. after the owners said their home was struck by lightning. He said was it was "possibly a lightning strike" but not positive. Crews found light smoke in the attic and put out a little hot spot. No injuries were reported, and the home had minor damage.

St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center Director Linda Stoughton said that they had zero issues in the morning and no reports of damage. They are hoping for more rain because they need it, but also hoping for no damage and minimal lightning as the day goes on. 

In Clay County, two large trees fell during the storm and damaged fences in the Foxridge subdivision. 

Jumbo Shrimp

The Jumbo Shrimp game against the Jackson Generals on Wednesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville has been postponed. The game is scheduled to be made up as part of a doubleheader of seven-inning games beginning at 5:05 p.m. Friday, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m.

Regular individual tickets for Wednesday’s game may be exchanged at the box office for a ticket of equal or lesser value to any remaining regular season home game.

Fans holding tickets for Friday, May 26, are welcome to attend both games of Friday’s doubleheader.

For more information, go to jaxshrimp.com.


About the Authors:

Veteran journalist and Emmy Award winning anchor

Lifetime Jacksonville resident anchors the 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of the News4Jax I-Team.