Cars towed away after Springfield flood; Heavy rain, a nearby stream, and clogged drains possible culprits

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – A heavy rain shower on Thursday – along with the possible overflow of a nearby creek and clogged drains – is likely the result of flooding that totaled cars at UF Health in Springfield.

News4JAX has learned that the rising waters also flooded part of the offices in the hospital pavilion.

A UF Health spokesperson said there was no damage and offices were open Friday as cleanup continued.

Videos and photos showed cars underwater in the hospital parking lot. Tow trucks were seen removing damaged cars on Friday morning.

A man, whose car was towed away for repair, told News4JAX he hoped it would be salvageable.

“Nobody expects your car to be flooded with this amount of water,” he said.

Attention was focused on storm drains in the parking lot on Friday. Heavy rain in a short time was the obvious culprit, but some believe it could also be an overflow from nearby Hogans Creek.

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News4jax spoke with Councilman Reggie Gaffney about the hospital in his district.

“We know Hogans Creek needs to be cleaned up,” Gaffney said. “We are doing it. I just want to make sure the drainage has flow here. I’m not sure the last time the city came and worked on the drains in this area.

A UF Health spokesperson said that in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, they close the lodge parking lot because they know it is flooded.

Unfortunately, Thursday’s heavy rains came as a surprise. UF employees said an alert was sent about the flooded parking lot, but by the time they received the message, it was too late to save their cars.

The flooding didn’t just come as a surprise to the hospital, it affected many parts of the city.

For example, News4jax caught up with public works crews at 25th and Perry Street on the North Side. Heavy flooding also occurred there.

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Crews have been spotted clearing out drains in hopes this won’t happen again in the future.