Schools, homes and businesses in Valrico, Florida, near the Alafia River, are grappling with severe flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. As water levels continue to rise, evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the affected areas.
VALRICO, Fla. – The Alafia River in Valrico, Florida, is swollen due to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton, and residents are being urged to evacuate.
As water levels continue to rise across Hillsborough County, schools, homes and businesses are at risk of flooding.
Field meteorologist Brett Adair shared a video with FOX Weather showing the Lithia Springs Elementary track and field complex as one of the areas affected.
SLOW-TO-RECEDE RIVER FLOODING PLAGUES FLORIDA AFTER MILTON BLASTED STATE WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN
Schools, homes and businesses in Valrico, Florida, near the Alafia River, are grappling with severe flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
(Brett Adair / LSM)
Days after Milton made landfall, rivers and streams in the Tampa Bay area and north-central Florida remain well above flood stage. A few have even hit all-time records, surpassing other infamous hurricanes in the region.
Several waterways have reached major flood levels, with the Alafia River at Lithia, just outside Tampa, currently in moderate flood stage but showing signs of receding.
Flood Warnings are in effect in several areas of Florida as rivers rise in the wake of Hurricane Milton’s torrential rain that pelted the state when the deadly storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane last week.
The widespread flooding in the Tampa Bay area has necessitated over 1,000 water rescues, with Hillsborough County accounting for more than 700 of these incidents, according to the sheriff’s office.
The rescues ranged from assisting a 91-year-old woman trapped in her flooded home near the Alafia River to a large-scale operation involving over 500 residents trapped in their flooded apartment complex in Clearwater.