Hurricane Irma Aftermath: No Boating On Black Creek In Clay County

JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone near Black Creek in the St. Johns River in Clay County, near Jacksonville, barring unauthorized boat traffic.

The safety zone was implemented to keep the public safe and limit further Hurricane Irma flood damage to homes along Black Creek, the Coast Guard said in a release.

Boat traffic near the creek's north and south forks are restricted. Boaters who want to access these portions of Black Creek must be authorized by the captain of the port or designated representative. Commercial ships and residents in adjacent homes will be considered for authorization. (For more information on the Black Creek safety zone and other Jacksonville stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Watch: Hurricane Irma's Destructive Journey By The Numbers

Areas impacted by the safety zone include all waters of Black Creek, west of the CSX Railroad Bridge crossing at Sleepy Hollow, to include North Fork Black Creek and South Fork Black Creek.

The safety zone will be enforced until 6 a.m. Monday.

Photo credit: U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Jacksonville