Flood Warning Tampa Bay and the Peace River valley, Florida · until 11:00 AM EST Thursday
Flooding threatens homes and community buildings as the Peace River rises in DeSoto County
Warnings remain in effect across three west-central Florida counties, with roads, homes and community buildings at risk near rising rivers.
Flooding is already occurring along rivers in Tampa Bay and the Peace River valley, and the Peace River at Arcadia is forecast to rise to 16.5 feet Thursday evening, threatening homes and community buildings in DeSoto County. Flood warnings are in effect Wednesday evening for parts of DeSoto, Hardee and Hillsborough counties after recent heavy rain.
At Arcadia’s SR 70 gauge, the river stood at 14.5 feet at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday—3.5 feet above flood stage. Forecasters expect it to crest Thursday evening. At 16 feet, as many as 60 homes in River Acres are flooded, and the Woman’s Club and American Legion are affected. The forecast crest would exceed the comparable 16-foot crest recorded in February 1998.
Rivers rise above flood stage
Horse Creek near Arcadia was at 13.9 feet Wednesday morning, above its 12-foot flood stage. Minor flooding is occurring, and buildings in Hidden Oak flood at 14 feet. The creek is forecast to fall to 12.4 feet Saturday morning.
The Peace River at Zolfo Springs in Hardee County reached 16.6 feet Wednesday morning, just above its 16-foot flood stage. It was forecast to crest at about that level Wednesday afternoon, then fall below flood stage late Wednesday night. That warning is scheduled to end Thursday at 11 a.m.
In Hillsborough County, the Alafia River at Lithia was at 13.1 feet Wednesday morning, above flood stage. River Drive and Squirrel Run Way downstream of County Road 640 are completely covered at 13 feet, and one home begins to flood. The river was expected to crest at 13.3 feet Wednesday afternoon and drop below flood stage just after midnight. That warning is set to expire Thursday at 7 a.m.
Stay off flooded roads
Flood warnings mean flooding is occurring or imminent. Officials urge drivers to turn around rather than enter water-covered roads, and not to drive around barricades. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Use caution near riverbanks, where rising water and unstable edges can pose hazards.
The Arcadia warning began at 8:13 a.m. Wednesday and has no end time listed. The warnings reflect lingering river rises after heavy rain across parts of west-central Florida; several rivers are expected to remain in flood stage over the next few days.