Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
- Areas
- DeSoto, FL; Hardee, FL; Highlands, FL
- Places
- Sebring, Avon Park, Arcadia, Wauchula, Lake Placid, Sylvan Shores, Sebring Regional Airport, Lake Istokpoga, Southeast Arcadia, Sweetwater, Zolfo Springs, Crewsville
- In effect
- until 1:45 PM EST, Nov 2, 2026
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Detection
- Observed
What the National Weather Service says
“Flash flooding is already occurring.”
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL, Flash Flood Warning, 10:45 AM EST Nov 2, 2026 · official alert
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL, Flash Flood Warning, 10:45 AM EST Nov 2, 2026 · official alert
“Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.”
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL, Flash Flood Warning, 10:45 AM EST Nov 2, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive or walk into flooded roads. The National Weather Service says just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. If you come to water on the road, turn around.
If water is in or approaching your home, move to higher ground now. Never drive around barricades. Stay away from creeks, streams, low spots and underpasses.
If you are safe where you are, stay put until the warning ends at 1:45 PM EST. The National Weather Service says an additional 2 to 3 inches of rain is possible in the warned area.
Keep a phone charged and follow local emergency management and the National Weather Service for updates or extensions.
Context
FEMA flood insurance records show 453 claims in DeSoto County since 1978, 129 in Hardee County since 1979 and 202 in Highlands County since 1980. These counts only include homes and businesses that carried federal flood insurance, so they understate how often flooding has reached property.
All three counties were part of federal disaster declarations for Hurricane Milton in 2024, Tropical Storm Debby in 2024 and Hurricane Nicole in 2022. DeSoto County was also included for Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Updates
- NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued the flash flood warning until 1:45 PM EST.
History here
DeSoto County: 453 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2024.
DeSoto County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4834 (2024): hurricane milton
- DR-4828 (2024): hurricane helene
- DR-4806 (2024): hurricane debby
- DR-4734 (2023): hurricane idalia
- DR-4680 (2022): hurricane nicole
Hardee County: 129 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2024.
Hardee County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4834 (2024): hurricane milton
- DR-4806 (2024): hurricane debby
- DR-4734 (2023): hurricane idalia
- DR-4680 (2022): hurricane nicole
- DR-4673 (2022): hurricane ian
Highlands County: 202 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2025.
Highlands County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4834 (2024): hurricane milton
- DR-4806 (2024): hurricane debby
- DR-4680 (2022): hurricane nicole
- DR-4673 (2022): hurricane ian
- DR-4337 (2017): hurricane irma
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Sebring, Florida?
- Yes. Sebring is among the locations listed in the National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning for southwestern Highlands County, in effect until 1:45 PM EST on Monday, November 2, 2026.
- How much rain has fallen in Hardee and DeSoto counties?
- Emergency management reported between 7 and 11 inches of rain at 10:45 AM EST, and the National Weather Service says an additional 2 to 3 inches is possible.
- Are roads flooded near Arcadia and Wauchula?
- Multiple emergency management agencies have reported flooded roads and water in or approaching homes and structures in the warned area, which includes Arcadia and Wauchula. Do not drive on flooded roads.
Sources
- NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL: Flash Flood Warning, Nov 2, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.