As Tropical Storm Dorian approaches Florida early next week, likely as a hurricane, the district reminds property owners to be prepared for the storm’s heavy rains by cleaning debris from storm drains and reporting clogged ditches to local governments in advance of the storm.

The district’s Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive will be closed from Aug. 30–Sept. 2. The closure is necessary to ensure public safety in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian.

As Florida’s east coast prepares for potential impacts from Hurricane Dorian, the district reminds northeast and east-central Floridians to bookmark its storm webpages for easy access to flooding information

The district will close all its public lands districtwide at noon on Saturday, Aug. 31, in advance of Hurricane Dorian to ensure public and land management staff safety.

When hurricanes and other storms bring high volumes of rain in short periods of time, flooding can result. The district’s water control structures in the Upper St. Johns River Basin (USJRB) and Upper Ocklawaha River Basin (UORB) are important federal flood protection projects.

A summary of the district’s current status of operations.

A summary of the district’s current status of operations

A summary of the district’s current status of operations.

A summary of the district’s current status of operations

With Hurricane Dorian pushing past Florida’s east coast, two public workshops will move forward as scheduled.

A summary of the district’s current status of operations.

The district is reopening the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive for regular operating hours Sept. 6.

The district is working to reopen conservation lands to public recreation following Hurricane Dorian. Openings occur after district staff complete a safety assessment of recreational access points, levees, trails and boat ramps.

The district has extended the application period for Blue School Grant project proposals to Sept. 11 due to school closures caused by Hurricane Dorian.

The district has reopened all of its conservation lands to public recreation following Hurricane Dorian, except for the island portion of Murphy Creek Conservation Area.