2/6/25 @ 4:00 p.m. - 

The Thomas Creek watershed management has been a priority to Nassau County dating back to the desnagging efforts of 2007. Previous efforts to mitigate flooding concerns along Thomas Creek were unsuccessful so the County sought assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers to determine the best path forward. 

In 2019, a Planning Assistance to States Grant (PAS) study was conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers which included extensive modeling with multiple scenarios. The results of the study concluded that the best course of action was a voluntary buyout program. The BOCC directed staff from the Stormwater and Drainage Management Department to begin working on an implementation plan while simultaneously taking other steps to improve drainage in the area. Examples include working with CSX Railroad to clear blockages near the railroad bridge; adding a stream gauge to Thomas Creek to monitor stream levels and rain; conducting home visits to meet with residents about issues relevant to their properties; issuing work orders to have the road department make various drainage improvements; and removal of vegetation near US 1 to make the creek more navigable. The Thomas Creek Implementation Plan was ultimately adopted by the BOCC on December 21, 2022. 

The Stormwater and Drainage Management, as part of the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan initiative, applied for the Implementation Grant to purchase homes in the Thomas Creek watershed. This $2.8 million dollar grant requires a 50% match, of which $1 million was approved for by the Board. The other $400,000 will be in work in-kind funds. 

We are excited to report that the County has closed on two of the four properties that were identified in the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan. The two other remaining properties are slated to be purchased in February or March 2025. This is a crucial step in mitigating and reducing flooding in the future. Additional buyouts will be considered as funding becomes available. 

All information related to the Thomas Creek Drainage Basin, including studies, community meetings and the timeline of the project can be found on our website. If you have any questions, please contact the Stormwater and Drainage Department at (904) 530-6390.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

6/24/24 @ 2:15 p.m. - 

Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1954 into law on May 12, 2021, creating the Resilient Florida Program. This legislation provides funding for initiatives to protect Florida's coastlines and inland waterways from sea level rise, storms, and flooding. It represents the largest investment in Florida’s history to help communities prepare for the effects of sea level rise, more severe storms, and increased flooding. For the 23/24 Fiscal Year, Nassau County applied for and received two grants under this program.

The Thomas Creek watershed management has been a priority to Nassau County dating back to the desnagging efforts of 2007. Since then, a Planning Assistance to States Grant (PAS) study was performed with the Army Corps of Engineers that concluded the best course of action is a voluntary buyout program. Staff presented the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan in March of 2023 to the Board of County Commissioners for approval. Subsequently, the Stormwater and Drainage Management, as part of the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan initiative, applied for the Implementation Grant to purchase homes in the Thomas Creek watershed. This $2.8 million dollar grant requires a 50% which $1 million was approved for by the Board. The other $400,000 will be in work in-kind funds. 

On June 20, 2024, the County held on Open House regarding the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan. Dozens of residents were in attendance to learn more about on-going efforts to mitigate flooding in the area. Booths with County staff were set up in the Callahan Community Center to allow for specific questions that summary presentations have not answered to date. During the Open House, citizens were able to discuss the County's Bicentennial efforts and the Nassau Vision 2050 initiative. They were also able to give input for the County's vulnerability study and learn about the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program in which Thomas Creek lands were ranked in the top 25 identified priority projects. Citizens that have already volunteered for the program learned more about the purchasing process. Some reviewed the preliminary floodplain elevations to be submitted to FEMA later this year. Others learned about the study for the first time and were added to this cycle’s volunteer list. 

As the project progresses, updates can be found on the Thomas Creek webpage. You can also reach out to Stormwater Drainage Director Katie Peay at (904) 530-6390 or via e-mail at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

6/5/24 @ 10:40a.m.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1954 into law on May 12, 2021, creating the Resilient Florida Program. This legislation provides funding for initiatives to protect Florida's coastlines and inland waterways from sea level rise, storms, and flooding. It represents the largest investment in Florida’s history to help communities prepare for the effects of sea level rise, more severe storms, and increased flooding.

Grants are available to eligible entities for analyzing vulnerabilities, planning, and implementing adaptation projects. For the 23/24 Fiscal Year, Nassau County applied for and received two grants under this program.

Stormwater and Drainage Management, as part of the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan initiative, applied for the Implementation Grant to purchase homes in the Thomas Creek watershed. This $2.8 million dollar grant requires a 50% which $1 million was approved for by the Board. The other $400,000 will be in work in-kind funds.

Staff is anxious to see the results of the Planning Assistance to States Grant with the Army Corps of Engineers, finalized in 2021, and how it will positively impact the County’s vulnerable watershed. This land acquisition process is outlined the Thomas Creek Implementation Plan. The Resilient Florida grant is the first grant to be awarded towards this plan.

The Board of County Commissioners approved the continuing contract to CBRE May 17, 2024. CBRE will start the appraisal process of the homes. Once the property is acquired, per the grant, Nassau County must demolish all structures and return the area to its natural floodplain state. This should allow for Thomas Creek to rise and fall with storm events without homeowner’s fearing another loss of structures.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Stormwater Director Katie Peay at (904) 530-6390 or via email at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer