Water level to rise in the Myakka River as residents deal with flooding

MYAKKA CITY, Fla. — Fourteen miles of Myakka Road and Clay Gully Road are closed, and the county has reported that three culverts under Myakka Road have deteriorated, making it unsafe to drive on.  

As more roads close in Myakka City due to flooding, residents are increasingly concerned about the rising water levels of the Myakka River in the coming days and through the weekend.  

It’s been raining off and on in Myakka City, and Theresa Carson’s home is just one out of many in that has been impacted by Debbie and the Myakka River.

Carson said she’s worried that if the water level continues to rise, it might start to seep into her house.

“It’s beautiful here,” Carson said of the area around her home.

But taking a bigger view of things shows a different story.  

“This was all water, except for the hill where the septic is,” she said. “Yeah, this was all covered. Oh, so it’s gone down quite a bit.”

Carson said that when Debbie came through, it flooded her 8.5 acres of land, including her favorite spot, a red swing.

“I’m not sure if it’s safe to sit on, but it’s just where I like to come and sit,” she said. “It’s so peaceful. it’s beautiful. Look at it, poor thing.”

At the height of the storm, Myakka City received the highest recorded total rainfall in the state at 21.7 inches, which caused flooding of the Myakka River.

Experts say the Myakka River will have elevated flood levels through Saturday.

While dealing with the flood waters, Carson said her main concern was for her animals.

“I always take in rescue animals — I rescue them all,” she said. “And that’s what keeps me alive and keeps me going. They’re really my family.”

Her second barn that flooded, but Carson said she learned from Hurricane Ian where to put her animals during the storm.

“I feel some relief, but I am exhausted, and it’s been exhausting,” she said. “Going through something like this is worrisome, too. You don’t know how high the water is going to get.”

While the animals are displaced from their barn homes, Carson is hoping her pasture won’t become flooded.

County officials say that anyone experiencing flooding is urged to dial 311. However, for those living in Myakka City, there is a point of distribution at the community center off of Wauchula Road. The Florida National Guard is handing out water and ready-to-go meals for now in Myakka City.