WELAKA, Fla. — The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is recommending evacuations for people living along the St. Johns River in parts of Welaka, Bardin and Bostwick ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Neighbors in Sportsman Harbor say it was spared during Hurricanes Helene and Debby for the most part, fortunately, but Hurricane Ian is still a vivid memory for many.
“It’s been great," said Jack Clements, who lives in Sportsman Harbor. "No water in the yard, but every once in a while, the bullet gets you.”
Clements has enjoyed his calm view of the St. Johns River over the past two years.
However, pulling down the awning on his property has him thinking back to the last time the ‘bullet got him’ – Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
“We had about 4-5 inches of water in the garage," said Clements. "Nothing in the houses. I had a big canopy up on that. It blew away. Landed in my neighbor's yard across the road.”
The worst part for Clements was having his water shut off for four days while the flooding receded.
The Town of Welaka received a grant in March to improve the drainage system so that one day, they’ll be able to keep the water on during hurricanes.
“It’s just a great place to live, but it’s got its problem every once in a while," said Clements. "If we get the water they’re talking about, they’ll have to do something or everybody will move out of here.”
Clements is getting his home ready before making the call Wednesday morning on whether to go or hunker down once the hurricane hits.
He’s not the only one making those decisions – the nearest gas station by town hall had a line that stretched onto the street.
Clements is taking the same outlook into this hurricane as he has for many before it.
“Just do the best you can," said Clements. "If your neighbor needs a little help, give him a little help and he’ll help you too.”
Speaking of helping neighbors, Clements is hoping his neighbors will help by driving slowly once this area floods because the wakes make all the difference on whether he just has water in his yard or in his home.