Recent deadly flooding in Texas is prompting Florida officials to renew warnings about the dangers of rising rivers during hurricane season.

Emergency management leaders in Hillsborough County and across Florida are urging residents to stay alert to river conditions, especially during heavy rainfall.

The Alafia River surged 23 feet after Hurricane Helene — its highest level in nearly a century. Last fall, parts of the Manatee River rose more than 7 feet.

Hillsborough County has responded to dozens of river rescues in recent years, yet only about 95,000 residents are subscribed to the county’s flood alert system — a fraction of the overall population.

“Water is the big killer,” said FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto. “When rain falls at 4 to 6 inches an hour, our systems can’t handle it — especially rivers like the Alafia and Manatee.”

“Water will always find a way,” added Tim Dudley, the county’s emergency management director. “We saw record flooding on the Alafia — not just from how fast it came, but how long it stayed.”

Residents are encouraged to download the HCFL Alert app and sign up for text or email updates if they live near flood-prone rivers such as the Alafia, Manatee, or Hillsborough.

Know your evacuation zone — and never drive through flooded roads. Turn around, don’t drown.

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(Image credit: Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

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