Governor Rick Scott Declares State of Emergency for Severe Weather and Flooding in Five Florida Counties

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a State of Emergency today, August 6, 2015, for the counties of Dixie, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Taylor. 

Issued as Executive Order 15-158, the Governor’s declaration will support emergency response and recovery operations for communities recently inundated by heavy rains, while the flooding situation in Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota and Union counties will continue to be monitored.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center forecasts above normal rainfall to continue over Northeast Florida, the Florida Big Bend, and portions of western Central Florida through the next 14 days.  Another frontal system is entering the region and is forecast to stall over northern Florida by Sunday, August 8 with the potential to bring another round of locally heavy rainfall and severe weather.

Currently, the following Florida rivers are still at some level of flood stage:

• The Anclote River near Elfers (Pasco County) is at moderate flood stage but was at major flood stage on August 4 and 5;
• The Steinhatchee River west of Cross City (Taylor County/Dixie County) is at moderate/minor flood stage;
• Cypress Creek near Worthington Gardens (Pasco County) is at minor flood stage;
• The Hillsborough River at Morris Bridge (Hillsborough County) is at minor flood stage;
• The Santa Fe River near Graham (Alachua County/Bradford County) is at minor flood stage;
• The Little Manatee River south of Wimauma (Hillsborough County) is at minor flood stage;
• The Myakka River at Myakka River State Park (Sarasota County/Manatee County) is at minor flood stage;
• The Hillsborough River south of Zephyrhills (Hillsborough County) is at action flood stage but was at minor flood stage on August 4 and 5;
• The Alafia River at Lithia (Hillsborough County) is at action flood stage but was at minor flood stage on August 4 and 5;
• The Santa Fe River at Worthington Springs (Alachua County/Union County) is at action flood stage; and,
• The Peace River at Bartow (Polk County) is at action flood stage.

To view the complete Executive Order, click here.

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