September 20, 2026
NWS flood warning for Horse Creek near Arcadia after heavy rain
NWS Tampa Bay issued a Flood Warning Sunday morning for Horse Creek near Arcadia at SR 72 in DeSoto County, where minor flooding was occurring at 12.4 feet. The creek was expected to fall below flood stage late Sunday afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay/Ruskin issued a Flood Warning at 6:20 a.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 20, for Horse Creek near Arcadia at SR 72 in DeSoto County. Minor flooding was occurring and forecast. The warning ran from Sunday morning through Sunday evening, with the product in effect through about 10:00 p.m. EDT. At 5:30 a.m. EDT Sunday the stage was 12.4 feet — flood stage and bankfull is 12.0 feet. At 12.0 feet, the access road to Hidden Oak is impassable. NWS urged motorists not to drive through flooded areas or around barricades and cautioned people near riverbanks.
NWS forecast a crest near 12.4 feet Sunday morning, then a fall below flood stage late Sunday afternoon. Water levels are expected to remain elevated through the week because of heavy rainfall. A Flood Warning from prior days remains in effect for the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon (covered in Saturday’s Restoration News post).
Separately, Tropical Depression Six strengthened to Tropical Storm Fay (AL062026), the sixth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season. NHC Public Advisory Number 4, issued at 9:00 a.m. GMT Sunday, Sept. 20, placed the center near 33.7°N, 33.1°W — about 450 miles (730 km) southwest of the Azores — moving north-northeast at 5 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1004 mb. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, and NHC lists no hazards affecting land. The 8:00 a.m. EDT Sunday Tropical Weather Outlook notes advisories on Fay southwest of the Azores and that tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days. Fay is well offshore near the Azores and carries no Florida tropical watch or warning.
If floodwater or stormwater enters a home, prompt extraction and drying matter in Florida humidity. Florida Restoration Specialists serves Central Florida water damage calls — water damage restoration and water extraction — or call (863) 588-6617.
Sources: NWS Tampa Bay/Ruskin Flood Warning — Horse Creek near Arcadia at SR 72 (WGUS42 KTBW), GovOneStop NWS Florida flood warning (Sept. 20), USGS Horse Creek at SR 72 near Arcadia (02297310), NHC Public Advisory Number 4 — Tropical Storm Fay, NHC Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook (8:00 a.m. EDT Sept. 20), National Hurricane Center.
