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, Venus, Southeast Arcadia, Sweetwater, Zolfo Springs
- In effect
- until 3:45 PM EST, Nov 2, 2026
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Between 5 and 12 inches of rain have fallen.”
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL, Flash Flood Warning, 1:44 PM EST Nov 2, 2026 · official alert
“Flash flooding is ongoing.”
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL, Flash Flood Warning, 1:44 PM 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, 1:44 PM EST Nov 2, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive on flooded roads. The National Weather Service says to turn around, don't drown, because most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive around barricades.
Move to higher ground if water is rising near you. Stay away from small creeks and streams, underpasses and low-lying areas. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Be aware of your surroundings. The National Weather Service says an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible in the warned area, so conditions may stay dangerous until the warning ends at 3:45 PM EST.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance claims show past flooding in these counties, but they count only insured homes and businesses, so they understate total flood losses. Through 2024 or 2025, FEMA lists 453 claims in DeSoto County, 129 in Hardee County and 202 in Highlands County.
All three counties have had federal disaster declarations in recent years, including for Hurricane Milton in 2024, Hurricane Debby in 2024 and Hurricane Nicole in 2022.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 3:45 PM EST.
- NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued the flash flood warning until 3:45 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. The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin issued a Flash Flood Warning that includes Sebring and Highlands County until 3:45 PM EST on November 2, 2026.
- How much rain has fallen in the warned area?
- Doppler radar indicated that between 5 and 12 inches of rain have fallen as of 1:44 PM EST. The National Weather Service says 1 to 3 more inches are possible.
- Which places are under the flash flood warning?
- The warning covers DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties. Places named include Sebring, Avon Park, Arcadia, Wauchula, Lake Placid and Zolfo Springs.
Sources
- NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL: Flash Flood Warning, Nov 2, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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