ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The weather system that has dumped from 8 to 20 inches of rain across northeast Florida since Sunday night is beginning to lose steam, but most of northeast Florida remains under a flood warning Friday evening.

Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency in 11 counties, including Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau Putnam and St. Johns counties due to severe weather and flooding.

The only good news Channel 4's chief meteorologist John Gaughan had Friday night was that the constant, soaking rains are over and there will be moments where the blue skies will be visible through the clouds.

"All sunshine in the next 24 hours will be brief, but big rains will return," Channel 4's chief meteorologist John Gaughan said. "Another 1 to 3 inches of rain are possible this weekend."

While the rains will not be as intense, even a small amount could cause trouble.

"Because our ground is so saturated, any rain at all is going to call some minor flooding and ponding on our roadways," meteorologist Rebecca Barry said.

Most roads that were flooded for days reopened by Friday afternoon, but there will continue to be occasional tidal flooding at the Beaches, in San Marco, Riverside and downtown St. Augustine.

"We've had sporadic reports all over Duval County of properties in low-lying areas are starting get water coming into some homes," said Marty Senterfitt, director of Jacksonville's Emergency Operations Center.

Runoff from the days of heavy rain has swollen many lakes, creeks and rivers -- including the St. Johns and the St. Marys. Black Creek crested 3 feet above flood state Thursday evening. [National Weather Service River Crest Information]

St. Johns County beaches remain closed to vehicles for a fifth day Friday, but authorities expect they will reopen on Saturday. Nassau County closed its beaches to vehicles late Wednesday and they remain closed.

Significant beach erosion was reported all along the coast, but perhaps most dramatically along Amelia Island, where at least 4 feet of sand was washed out to sea -- leaving a cliff along the waterline. A high surf advisory remains in effect for Friday, with the risk of rip currents and breakers are expected to be 6 to 8 feet.

The Flagler County Emergency Operations Center in Bunnell has recorded 20.3 inches of rain since Sunday afternoon, twice what Jacksonville International Airport recorded in the same period. During Tropical Storm Fay last September, Bunnell recorded 18.27 inches and Jacksonville's airport reported 10.02.