WFLA

Flooding persists days after Hurricane Irma moved through Tampa Bay

Paul Mueller

VALRICO, Fla. (WFLA) – Kayaking is a common way to get around in a few extra part of the Tampa Bay area these days.

Trouble is is that it’s not for sport.  Instead, it’s for people who are trying to maneuver the streets of their flooded communities.

As most of Hillsborough County picks itself up from Hurricane Irma, those living along the Alafia River are still fearing the worst.

Irma’s rainfall is causing historic river flooding, which is expected to continue over the next several days. Many residents have evacuated their homes and are anxiously watching the river to see if it will keep rising. As of 7 a.m. on Wednesday, the river was at 21.49 feet, according to the National Weather Service. It floods when it exceeds 13 feet. The last time it reached 20.5 feet was in 1935, the Weather Service said.

River Road leads up to the river and it is full of standing water.  Homes and cars are nearly submerged or partially submerged in water.

In fact, residents know about the flooding problem since smaller storms with a lot of rain often cause flooding.  That’s why some have built homes on 8-foot stilts and have canoes ready to go.

This time, though, the soaking rains from Hurricane Irma, some residents found themselves trapped and had to be rescued by Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue.

Meantime, in the Elfers community in Pasco County, a similar situation where the area is underwater as the Anclote River is on the rise.

Also, the Myakka River is expected to crest on Thursday and many homes along that river have a foot of water inside the house.

Finally, the Withlacoochee River in Hernando is nearly 16 feet above storm level and officials are keeping a close eye on that.

“We got lucky, I was helping some of the neighbors move their prize possession earlier, their family heirlooms and pictures and stuff like that out of the their house, get it out of the water so at least they’ve got memories, that’s all we’ve got,” said Victor Hubert who was helping his neighbors with their belongings.

The flooding in Hillsborough County is due to the heavy rains from Irma and on top of that, the ground is already saturated.

That rainwater is swelling the rivers as they make their way to Tampa Bay.

Once the waters go down, officials will check for damage.

In the meantime, a flood warning is in effect until Friday morning for residents along the Anclote River in  Pasco County..

“ We helped Miss Connie come down here and get in her place,” Craig Bradley told News Channel 8.  “We helped her put up some computers and stuff and we took some people down here at the end of the road and made sure they had their stuff put up.”The Withlacoochee River At Crook

The Little Manatee River At Wimauma

The Manatee River Near Myakka Head

The Withlacoochee At Trilby

The Peace River At Bartow

The Anclote River At Elfers

 The Peace River At Zolfo Springs

The Peace River At Arcadia

The Myakka River At Myakka River State Park

The Alafia River At Lithia

The Hillsborough River Near Hillsborough River State Park

 The Horse Creek Near Arcadia

The Hillsborough River At Morris Bridge

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