Hurricane Milton could reveal flooding risks in newer St. Johns County communities like Beachwalk, Beacon Lake, and Rivertown, Sheriff Robert Hardwick said Wednesday.

During a press conference in St. Augustine, a resident asked whether people in these areas—located near evacuation zones—should leave before the storm arrives.

“Some of these neighborhoods are brand new and haven’t been tested for flooding,” Hardwick said, standing alongside St. Johns Fire Chief Sean McGee. “Before houses and roads were built, nature controlled this land. Now, we have infrastructure like drainage systems and roads in place, but we don’t yet know how they’ll handle a major storm.”

Growth Brings Uncertainty

St. Johns County’s population has grown by 43% in the last decade, meaning many residents have never experienced a severe hurricane in these newer neighborhoods.

“We haven’t seen how some of these areas will react,” Hardwick said, advising residents near evacuation zones to make whatever decision helps them feel safe.

“We’re going to have parts of St. Johns County flood that have never flooded before,” he warned, reminding everyone that no two storms are the same.

Stay Aware and Make the Best Choice for Your Family

Both Hardwick and McGee urged residents to watch their surroundings.

“You need to pay attention,” Hardwick said. “Are your drainage ditches already full?”

McGee, who has worked every major storm in St. Johns County since 1998, said no one can predict exactly what will happen.

“If you feel nervous or unsafe, it’s best to leave,” he said.