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Water-Related News

Flooding could continue for weeks along the Withlacoochee River

Record levels have also been recorded on the Hillsborough River, near Zephyrhills.

Thanks to hurricanes Milton and Helene, Tampa set a new yearly rainfall record, and it's only October. The National Weather Service said the city broke a record that has stood since 1957.

All that water is pushing some rivers to record highs, including the Hillsborough near Zephyrhills. The river eventually empties into Tampa Bay at downtown Tampa.

Cypress Creek, which flows south from Pasco County into the Hillsborough, has caused flooding in many areas, including the Lake Padgett East subdivision in Land O'Lakes.

And there are reports of major flooding at the Willow Ridge neighborhood, just off Kathleen Road, north of Lakeland. As many as 127 homes have been reported to be cut off by high water.

Flooding is particularly bad on the Withlacoochee, which flows north through Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Mark Fulkerson is an engineer with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. He says some areas downriver are bracing for high water that might not come for a few weeks.