The Peace River crested around midnight Friday at 16.5 feet, and it has been receding ever since, dropping roughly a tenth of an inch per hour. As of 7 a.m. Saturday, the gauge read 16 feet, keeping the river in major flood stage for now. The crest came in above Hurricane Milton’s mark but stayed more than seven feet below Hurricane Ian’s, a comparison plenty of longtime river residents are making this weekend.
The forecast is on our side. No rain is expected for the next several days, which means flooded areas should keep draining and the river should keep falling. Even so, the Peace is projected to remain in moderate flood stage through Tuesday afternoon, so low-lying roads and riverfront properties may stay affected a few more days. If your commute crosses the river or you’re waiting to get back into a flood-prone property, build that timeline into your plans and check the gauge before you head out.
River levels are monitored continuously across Southwest Florida, and conditions can shift as water moves downstream, so the Saturday picture isn’t the final word. Bookmark your county’s emergency page and keep an eye on local updates through the weekend. Have you been watching the Peace River gauge during this flood? Share your neighborhood’s status in the comments.
