The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is releasing additional water from the Medard Reservoir into the Alafia River to protect the structural integrity of the reservoir.

In preparation for potential impacts from Hurricane Milton, the District was releasing water and the Medard Reservoir was below normal operating level. However, the Medard Reservoir received nearly 7 inches of rainfall and the reservoir rose 6.5 feet as a result of Hurricane Milton. 

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Hurricane Milton and have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during and after an emergency weather event.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is prioritizing the safety of residents and visitors. Boaters are reminded that the storm has impacted many of Florida’s coastal and inland waterways.

Deploys Response and Recovery Assistance to North Carolina & Tennessee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida is rapidly deploying recovery assistance to North Carolina and Tennessee to help with Hurricane Helene's impacts in Operation Blue Ridge. T

(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday morning said time is still available for those in the path of Hurricane Helene in the Big Bend to evacuate, but that time is drawing to a close. 

He also urged those in Tallahassee, which has not been hit by a hurricane of this magnitude, to take the storm threat seriously despite a slightly eastward jog in the storm's predicted path.