Withlacoochee River water levels still rising

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Water levels in the Withlacoochee River continue to rise in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

According to the South Florida Water Management District, Hurricane Milton brought double-digit rainfall at the end of the wet season — a time when lakes, streams, wetlands, ponds, and aquifer levels were already full.

The Withlacoochee River’ is seeing’s historic flooding led to evacuation orders and water rescues and forcing the closure of some major roadways .

The district said it will take time for floodwaters to recede due to the flooding in the region.

Dade City

Currently, river flooding has peaked at the Green Swamp, which is experiencing the highest water levels since 1960, surpassing peaks from Hurricane Irma and the 2004 hurricanes.

At the Dade City gauge on the west side of the swamp, river levels reached their peak on Sunday morning and have been slowly receding since, according to the districts. Many homes in the area may continue to see rising water levels as the floodwaters attempt to level out.

Trilby

The river is currently 1.6 feet higher than Hurricane Irma’s peak at Trilby. The National Weather Service is predicting the water levels at Trilby will continue to rise a few weekends before peaking this weekend.

Ridge Manor

Near Ridge Manor, the river is now 0.7 feet higher than Hurricane Irma’s peak. The river there could rise more than 6 inches, also possibly peaking during the weekend.

Nobleton

Near Nobleton, waters are still rising sharply, having already surpassed peaks from both Irma and the 2004 storms.

The river here is expected to continue to rise up to another 2 feet throughout the week.

Hwy 44 and 200

River levels at Highway 44 are now a few inches below peak levels from Hurricane Irma and will continue to rise for at least two more weeks.

Highway 200 could see a few more inches this week and will continue to rise for the next two to three weeks as waters upstream make their way down.

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