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, Southeast Arcadia, Sebring Regional Airport, Sweetwater, Zolfo Springs, Crewsville, Gardner, Brownville, Sebring Shores
- In effect
- until 11:00 AM EST, Nov 2, 2026
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Detection
- Observed
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL, Flash Flood Warning, 9:28 AM EST Nov 2, 2026 · official alert
“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL, Flash Flood Warning, 9:28 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, 9:28 AM EST Nov 2, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive through flooded roads. The National Weather Service says most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Move to higher ground if you are in a low-lying area, near a small creek or stream, or near poor drainage. Streets, highways and underpasses can flood quickly.
Never drive around barricades. Stay aware of your surroundings, since 2 to 3 more inches of rain are possible in the warned area.
Check the National Weather Service for updates before the warning ends at 9:30 AM EST.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance claims show past flooding in the warned counties. DeSoto County has 453 claims from 1978 to 2024, Hardee County has 129 from 1979 to 2024, and Highlands County has 202 from 1980 to 2025. These counts cover only insured properties, so they likely understate total flooding.
All three counties have had federal disaster declarations in recent years, including Hurricane Milton in October 2024 and Hurricane Debby in August 2024. These are past events and do not predict today's impact.
Updates
- The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning until 11:00 AM EST.
- NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued the flash flood warning until 9:30 AM 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
Get these alerts on your iPhone
Herebeat is an iPhone app that shows official alerts like these (National Weather Service warnings, earthquakes, wildfires, air quality and more) for the places you save, each with its source and issue time. Download Herebeat on the App Store.
Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Highlands, Hardee or DeSoto County, Florida?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin issued a Flash Flood Warning at 8:01 AM EST on November 2, 2026, for eastern Hardee, northern DeSoto and northwestern Highlands counties.
- How much rain has fallen in the warned area?
- Radar indicated thunderstorms have produced between 5 and 8 inches of rain. The National Weather Service says 2 to 3 more inches are possible.
- Which places could see flash flooding, and until when?
- Places include Sebring, Avon Park, Arcadia, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs and Sebring Shores. The warning runs until 9:30 AM EST.
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.