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HERNANDO - State and local officials shut down the State Road 200 bridge Wednesday night, concerned the rising Withlacoochee River might be washing out the bridge's supports. The closure, thought to be the first in decades due to flooding, could last several days, officials said.
The National Weather Service on Thursday said the Withlacoochee at Holder is as deep as 10.75 feet, almost 3 feet above flood stage and 2 feet above where homes are affected. Forecasters say the river could reach 11.10 feet by Monday.
The river has crested above 11 feet only four times before.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy had asked state transportation officials inspect the bridges a day earlier, when flood waters were approaching the bridges at State Road 200, State Road 44 E and Citrus County Road 48.