River Flood Warning in effect

The National Weather Service in Ruskin, FL has issued a Flood Warning for the Little Manatee at Wimauma and the Manatee river at Myakka Head.   Residents along these rivers and those that will travel across them should remain alert for higher water levels through Monday. 

Rainfall over the past 2 days averaged between 1-2" and it is now draining into the local rivers causing them to swell just above their flood stages.  The rivers will reach flood stage tomorrow and crest sometime on Monday before falling below flood stage.  These forecasts usually change slightly with regard to time and river level, so it is important to stay updated to the forecast.  The Flood Warning will remain in effect until the rivers fall below their flood stage.

Here are the specific forecast for each river as of Saturday morning.

Little Manatee River at Wimauma

Current Level: 6.5'

Flood Level: 11.0'

Forecast:  River will rise above flood stage on Sunday afternoon and continue to rise until it crests at 11.9' by Monday afternoon.  River levels begin to fall Monday afternoon.  This flood level can be compared to a previous crest of 11.9 back on September 23, 1948.

 Manatee River at Myakka Head

Current Level: 7.0'

Flood Level: 11.0'

Forecast:  River will rise above flood stage on late tonight and continue to rise until it crests at 11.1' by Sunday morning.  The river level will begin to fall Sunday afternoon.  At 11' some agricultural areas begin to flood along with areas of rural Kibler.  This flood level can be compared to a previous crest of 11.1 back on June 27, 1996.