Hurricane Milton is long gone, but the lingering effects from its torrential rains that measured over a foot in many areas of Florida are extending its impacts well into this week.
Rivers and streams around the Tampa area, as well as in north-central Florida, that took the brunt of Milton’s deadly trek across the Sunshine State remain well over flood stage days after the hurricane made landfall last Wednesday, with several rivers reaching major flood stage.
A few have even hit all-time records, surpassing other infamous hurricanes in the region.
The flooding has led to more than 1,000 water rescues across the region, with more than 700 occurring in Hillsborough County in the Tampa area, according to the sheriff’s office.
The rescues ranged from a 91-year-old woman from a flooded home along the Alafia River to a massive rescue of more than 500 residents trapped in feet-deep waters of their flooded apartment complex in Clearwater.
Tampa recorded a record 11.54 inches of rain, while St. Petersburg recorded its own record of 18.54 inches of rain in one day.
The Hillsborough River crested at nearly 2 feet over record height Friday at Zephyrhills and has since been receding, according to National Weather Service river gauges. But at the Morris Bridge, the river crested on Saturday morning more than 3 feet above record flood stage.
It’s expected to continue to slowly recede through Wednesday.
The Alafia River at Lithia, just outside Tampa, remains in minor flood stage and is receding.
In Pasco County northwest of Tampa, Cypress Creek in the Lutz area rose to 15.08 feet on Sunday, breaking the previous record by about a foot. The river crested around 15 feet on Monday and remains above major flood stage.
On Sunday, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office recommended residents in low-lying areas evacuate for their safety based on the NWS forecast for Cypress Creek and the Anclote River.
The Anclote River in Elfers reached a peak of 26.57 feet – about a foot short of the record. The river remains in moderate flood stage and will likely remain in flood stage through the middle of the week.
In Hernando County, sandbags were being offered to residents due to the flooding of the Withlacoochee River.
“This water, unlike a surge water, will stay here for a long period of time,” Hernando County Administrator Jeff Rogers said. “It could be a week or two weeks into three until that water recedes enough.”
That concern was echoed by other officials in Hernando County.
“Many different neighborhoods we drove through this afternoon are already seeing a lot of water that’s coming up,” Hernando County Director of Public Safety and Fire Chief Paul Hasenmeier said. “So, if you haven’t evacuated, evacuate before your exit pathway to get to higher ground happens. It’s important. Pay attention. Have a plan. Get out now before you can’t.”
Farther east between Orlando and Daytona Beach, where between 8 and 15 inches of rain fell, forecasters and first responders are closely monitoring the St. Johns River. “Extensive, long-lasting river flooding” is forecast to persist for several days.
The river is expected to reach major flood stage from Astor through Sanford. The gauge at Astor has already set a new preliminary record stage, exceeding levels reached after Hurricane Ian. Major flooding also continues on the Little Wekiva River near Altamonte Springs, the NWS in Melbourne said.
Police in the Lake County city of Clermont said residents of the Emerald Lakes Mobile Home Park were evacuated due to the rising water and thanked both first responders and residents who helped those being affected by the flooding over the weekend.
With Florida’s flat terrain, river flooding will take a long time to recede.
“The St. Johns River is the most notorious for being slow to drain and that’s because it barely changes elevation from its headwaters to where it empties to the Atlantic,” says FOX Weather Senior Meteorologist Greg Diamond. “Over the course of 310 miles, it only drops 27 feet. If you do the math, that’s only around 1 inch per mile. Not only that, it’s tidal. So twice a day, the incoming tide reverses the flow of water more than halfway up the river. This slows down the draining even more.”
Forecasters are thus warning residents to anticipate issues for some time.
“Prepare for long-term flood impacts that may last several weeks,” NWS Melbourne meteorologists warned.
