The aftermath of Milton's deluge across central and north Florida has resulted in numerous river flooding situations as excess water slowly drains into the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.
One of the severely impacted areas is the Alafia River in Lithia, located just east of Tampa. The river has experienced a significant rise of around 15 feet since Wednesday night, following Milton's heavy rainfall of 10-18 inches in the Tampa region.
By Thursday afternoon, the Alafia River had surpassed major flood stage levels and continued to climb, reaching over 24 feet by Friday. This marks the second-highest water level on record, with the highest being recorded during the Hurricane of 1933.
Although the Alafia River at Lithia is expected to crest on Friday afternoon, it is anticipated to remain above major flood stage until Monday, indicating a slow receding process for the floodwaters.
This prolonged flooding pattern is not unique to the Alafia River, as Florida's flat terrain causes rivers to drain excess water at a sluggish pace. Similar scenarios have been observed in recent years following hurricanes and tropical storms impacting the state.
Further north and east of Tampa, the Hillsborough River has also experienced significant swelling, reaching record levels at multiple locations and inundating low-lying areas on Thursday. Downstream areas closer to Tampa are still witnessing rising water levels, posing a threat of additional flooding in the upcoming days.
Additionally, the Anclote River north of Clearwater and the St. Johns River between Orlando and Daytona Beach are both in major flood stage, approaching all-time record levels. These rivers are expected to remain at elevated levels throughout the weekend, further exacerbating the flooding situation in the region.
