Peace River Hits Major Flood Stage

The Peace River reached major flood stage on Wednesday after water levels spiked sharply across central Florida. Meteorologist Megan Kennedy from ABC7 surveyed the conditions along the waterway to assess the immediate impact on the region.

National Weather Service data shows the river rose from approximately seven feet to nearly 14 feet over a 24 hour period. This rapid increase occurred along State Road 70 in Arcadia. The water is forecast to rise further to 16.5 feet before peaking overnight Wednesday and into Thursday.

Dennis O'Hara, a representative for the De Soto County Emergency Operations Center, noted that this event is distinct from previous records. He stated that he has never observed river flooding of this magnitude during his tenure in the county. O'Hara compared the current situation to the 2022 flooding caused by Hurricane Ian, noting that the 2022 levels were substantially higher than anticipated at the time.

At De Soto Veterans Memorial Park in Arcadia, the surge submerged benches, monuments, and parking lots. Residents navigated the area by launching boats onto grassy areas and driving vehicles through the flooded grounds. A National Weather Service team conducted a survey of the land to document the extent of the inundation.

Local resident David Osteen described the unusual conditions in his neighborhood. He pointed to a specific area that is typically a ditch or swell zone. Osteen indicated that water had created an island around a tree and submerged a drainage bridge along the road. He emphasized that the area does not normally hold water to this degree.

Officials expect water levels to recede slowly after the crest. O'Hara warned that the river will remain in major flood stage for a lengthy period before returning to normal conditions.