‘All hands on deck’: NE Florida and SE Georgia counties monitor river levels with more rain ahead

Baker County, Florida and Camden County, Georgia emergency managers say Hurricane Isaias may stay west of the area, but the rain that’s already fallen this week could make local flooding happen faster if more bands move through.In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency that includes Baker and Columbia counties.The executive order says a stalled frontal system produced widespread heavy rainfall across portions of North Florida — with five to nine inches reported in some areas — leading to saturated soils, elevated water levels and overwhelmed drainage systems. The order warns additional heavy rain could increase the risk of flash flooding and river flooding.Baker County Emergency Management Director John Blanchard said the saturation is already affecting some roadways.“Smaller cars are having a hard time going up and down them. Some of them are even getting stuck,” Blanchard said.Blanchard said the St. Marys River has been a major focus for the county, and that mor