Flash Flooding in Florida, November 13, 1997

Average rainfall amounts of five to eight inches with isolated amounts as high as twelve inches fell in less than twelve hours and caused flooding of homes, businesses, public facilities, roadways and rivers. Most of the flooding occurred over a broad band from the Bradenton-Sarasota metropolitan area east to Wauchula in Hardee county and continued east to Sebring in northern Highlands county.The greatest flood damage occurred in Sarasota county where 178 properties were affected for a total of $2.3 million dollars. Out of these properties damaged, six were destroyed, 36 had major damage and 136 had minor flood damage.In Manatee county, flooding caused $400,000 dollars worth of damage to fifteen single family dwellings and seven mobile homes. Most of these dwellings were damaged by rising floodwaters of the Braden and Manatee Rivers.In De Soto county, flood damage totalled an estimated $380,000 dollars. Floodwaters damaged six homes, three businesses and at least 25 vehicles. Most of the damage occurred from rising floodwaters of the Peace River and Horse Creek.In Highlands county, flood damage of $100,000 was reported to vehicles along U.S. Highway 27 between Sebring and Avon Park.In Hardee county, flood damage estimates were $60,000 dollars. Floodwaters damaged three mobile homes along the Peace River.