Flood Warning Tampa Bay and the Peace River valley, Florida · until 11:00 AM EST Thursday
Peace River to crest Thursday as flood warnings continue in Tampa Bay and Florida river valley
Flooding is already affecting river communities, with the highest forecast water threatening homes and local gathering places near Arcadia.
Flood warnings remained in effect Wednesday evening across parts of Tampa Bay and the Peace River valley after recent heavy rain pushed several rivers above flood stage. The Peace River at Arcadia is forecast to crest at 16.5 feet Thursday evening, where a rise to 16 feet can flood as many as 60 homes in River Acres and affect the Woman’s Club and American Legion.
The Arcadia warning in DeSoto County began at 8:13 a.m. Wednesday and has no end time listed. The river stood at 14.5 feet at 7:30 a.m.—above its 11-foot flood stage—and is forecast to surpass its previous comparable crest of 16 feet, recorded in 1998.
Flooding underway on several rivers
Horse Creek near Arcadia was at 13.9 feet at 7:30 a.m., above its 12-foot flood stage. Buildings in Hidden Oak flood at 14 feet. The river is forecast to fall to 12.4 feet Saturday morning. Its recent 24-hour maximum was 14.2 feet, close to the comparable 13.9-foot crest recorded in 1995.
In Hardee County, the Peace River at Zolfo Springs stood at 16.6 feet Wednesday morning, above flood stage of 16 feet. The river was forecast to crest at 16.6 feet Wednesday afternoon and fall below flood stage late Wednesday night. The warning is scheduled to end at 11 a.m. Thursday.
The Alafia River at Lithia, in Hillsborough County, measured 13.1 feet at 7 a.m., just above its 13-foot flood stage. River Drive and Squirrel Run Way downstream of County Road 640 are covered by water at 13 feet, and one home begins to flood. The river was forecast to crest at 13.3 feet Wednesday afternoon and drop below flood stage shortly after midnight. That warning is scheduled to end at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Avoid flooded roads and riverbanks
A Flood Warning means flooding is imminent or occurring: take action. Drivers should never go around barricades or drive through floodwater. Turn around, don’t drown—most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Use caution near riverbanks, where high water can make footing dangerous.
Recent heavy rain has kept several rivers in west-central Florida in flood stage, and levels may remain high over the next few days.