The town of White Springs is dealing with extremely high river levels as a result of Tropical Storm Debby.

The Spring House at White Sulphur Springs, which has been bone dry for years, has completely filled up and water was almost over the roof as of Thursday, June 28.

South Hamilton Elementary suffered some damage at one of their out buildings, Building 3, that houses pre-kindergarten students. White Springs Police Chief Ken Brookins said he believed it was a washout of the soil along the foundation and not a sinkhole, which was previously suggested. He said flood water was running down by the out building and washed out the soil.

“I’m not a geologist, though,” Brookins said. “Actually, all the damage we have here is not sinkholes, it’s where the culverts have washed out.”

A large oak tree beside the building has also dipped over top of the building. The tree is sitting at the edge of the large hole. Brookins said power has been shut off to the building and he is asking curious onlookers to stay clear of the area.

It is school-owned property, Brookins added, and will be up to them to determine the next steps to repair the damage.

“We have a contract with an architect firm, Clemmons, Rutherford and Associates in Tallahassee,” said Hamilton County Superintendent of Schools Martha Butler. “They will inspect the site and make recommendations to me. This will most likely take place within the next week.”

Farther down US 41 where the bridge crosses over to Lake City, the Suwannee River is bulging at the seams. On one side of the bridge is the railroad tracks. As of Thursday, the water was up to the bottom of the tracks but had not yet come over it. The river is so high that several large electric cables were already in the water. The tracks are being monitored closely by rail personnel.

On the opposite side of the bridge Wayside Park is completely underwater. Only the top of a swing set could be seen.

“All the picnic tables are underwater,” said Lt. Tracy Rodriquenz.

On CR 136 on the way out of White Springs, after crossing over the bridge above the Suwannee River and just past the Ag station, the road to turn off to Suwannee Valley Resort was completely submerged underwater all the way out to CR 136. Then, following CR 136 back to Live Oak, both sides of the roadway were flooded all the way down to the Suwannee County Line.

More updates will follow if the flooding worsens.