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River crests, but rain is on horizon
By JAMIE JONES, Times Staff Writer
RIDGE MANOR -- Rose Wiggins would like for her boyfriend to finish building a porch behind their old white trailer so she can sit outside near the flowing Withlacoochee River. But the view isn't so great these days. Recent rains have left the river smelly, stagnant and swollen. And it has given up peculiar objects near Wiggins' back door: three refrigerators, an old picnic table, a large green and white umbrella, many soda cans. "I guess people just started throwing stuff in," Wiggins said. The river began to reclaim its former appearance, if not its appliances, on Friday, receding slightly from yards and pastures across eastern Hernando County. Forecasters said the river near Trilby crested at 13.71 feet about midnight Thursday. On Friday afternoon, the river measured 13.68, said Eric Oglesby of the National Weather Service. The Withlacoochee, which means "crooked river," is a blackwater river, one of two in Central Florida that flow from south to north. The river twists and turns through Hernando County and into Citrus before ending in the Gulf of Mexico. When the river rises above 12 feet, flooding starts in subdivisions including Talisman Estates, Riverdale and River Heights Estates. Serious flooding begins throughout the area if the river reaches 14.2 feet. The river at Croom, just south of Nobleton, was expected to crest at 9 feet on Friday afternoon, which is equal to the flood stage. It measured at 8.98 feet at 7 a.m. Friday, but forecasters were unable to offer accurate readings later in the day. Forecasters believe the water levels will continue to recede over the weekend. They warn of additional rain on Tuesday, which could again raise water levels, but predict clear skies for Wednesday and Thursday. So far, no residents have reported flood damage to county officials, although some have told employees of the Sheriff's Office that water was seeping inside their homes. On Friday, health officials offered free water tests to those who drink from wells. River water can spill into wells and contaminate drinking water. Al Gray of the county Health Department said anyone can pick up a free test kit at the Sheriff's Office substation in the Ridge Manor Community Center on Cortez Boulevard. To use the kit, residents should pour water into a plastic bag. A white tablet will dissolve and show whether it is contaminated. Health officials will pick up the bags and analyze their contents. Six people had picked up tests by 2 p.m. Friday. Residents who finds sediment in their water should not drink it, Gray said. Others should boil water if they believe their well has been flooded, Gray said. County spokeswoman Brenda Frazier said employees of the Emergency Management Department will continue monitoring roads in the area, particularly Cyril Drive, which remained flooded on Friday. -- Jamie Jones can be reached at 754-6114. Send e-mail to jjones@sptimes.com.
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