JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The city of Jacksonville announced Wednesday that it had brought six temporary pumps to San Marco in preparation for the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

RELATED|Helene is strengthening into a hurricane and will be a major hurricane before making landfall on Thursday|The City of Jacksonville will share information about closures, shelters, bridges and more ahead of Helene

Area residents are expecting more flooding in the coming days as the major storm is expected to bring more rain and a storm surge from the St. Johns River to the area. One of those residents is Jeff Knight, who has lived in San Marco for five years.

“I’m very worried,” Knight said. “I’m actually going to Alabama this weekend. Hopefully the rain will be over by Friday. But I’m really worried it’s going to rain this week.”

San Marco has seen more flooding in recent weeks after a stalled Atlantic water system dumped several inches of rain and caused widespread flooding on streets.

VIDEO | Cars stall and trash cans drift down the street amid widespread flooding in San Marco

Construction of a new pump station at the LaSalle Street Pump Station is currently underway.

RELATED | The new pumping station on LaSalle Street is intended to alleviate long-standing flooding problems in San Marco

Portable pumps were brought to LaSalle Street earlier this month to help.

When the storm hits, a storm surge of up to 3 feet is expected in the St. Johns River.

The National Weather Service said areas along the river north of the Buckman Bridge are expected to be affected, particularly during high tide, which occurs Thursday at 6:45 p.m. Key areas at risk include Riverside, St. Vincent’s, Hogan’s Creek, San Marco and the Ribault River.

Mayor Donna Deegan said JTA is offering free shuttles to Ken Knight Drive residents who live along the Ribault River and have struggled with flooding issues for years. The No. 3991 bus stop at Ken Knight Drive and Moncrief Road takes residents to Legends Center, a city-run emergency shelter.

Shayla Cooper lives on Ken Knight Drive and expressed concerns about the potential for flooding.

“My concern is my peace garden. I have a swing set and some decorations and wanted to move them out of the corner where the water is so they would still be there when the water recedes. I know the water will come up, but I’m moving my things just in case,” she said.

Deegan was asked during an afternoon meeting if pumps would be brought to the Ken Knight Drive area.

“I don’t think there’s much you can do about Ken Knight Drive, I’ll tell you that. I mean, that’s a tough situation over there. On days when we don’t have major flooding, flooding occurs there. It’s because of the landscape over there and it’s going to be very, very difficult, but we’re going to give people a way to get out of it. That’s about the best we can do,” Deegan said.

After flooding from recent storms, Deegan said the city has been working hard to clear drains and prepare ponds for additional rain as the storm approaches.

“I think we’re in the best possible position,” Deegan said.

Leroy Bradly and Anthony Powell are two Ken Knight residents who deal with flooding every time a storm hits.

“I think I’ll take them up on their offer to the city,” Bradley said.

“Last year I was here and this time I’m not going to take that risk,” Powell said. “When I woke up there was water in the house and things were floating around.”

Knight said some of his neighbors laid out sandbags in hopes of minimizing potential flooding. He just hopes for the best.

“JEA pumped out the Landon and San Marco routes, so turning that on will help,” Knight said. “And maybe, maybe it won’t be as bad as it was a few weeks ago. But obviously worried.”

Deegan said Duval residents should expect power outages, downed trees and an increased risk of tornadoes as early as Wednesday evening. If residents see problems with downed trees or downed power lines, it is best to contact the city directly. The number is 630-CITY (2489).