The recent heavy rainfall continues to cause flooding concerns on Bay area rivers. 

There were warnings Monday for the Alafia River in Lithia, the Little Manatee River in Wiamauma and the Manatee River at Myakka Head. 

People that on the Alafia are no strangers to flooding – and much worse than this week's. But what's surprising is how early in the year we are seeing it happen.

In fact, kayaking became the normal form of transportation in one Lithia neighborhood.

"We use them to paddle from our house to the end of the street where we park our cars," said resident Ann Klingensmith.

During Hurricane Irma, Klingensmith said the water almost reached the top of her home's stilts. But she never left.

"We slept in a tent on the porch for about a week, because of course it was too hot inside," she said.

That's why she is relatively calm even though her dock is under water from the recent rain.

 

DO NOT DRIVE CAR THROUGH FLOODED AREA

Right now minor flooding is expected but the rivers will be watched closely as more rain is forecast to fall this week.

The Alafia has topped river road by about 8-12 inches. 

Do not drive cars through flooded areas.

At this point it does not appear any homes will be threatened by the flooding -- but people that live close to the river in Lithia have moved their cars to higher ground so they are able to get in and out.

The Flood Warning continues for

  The Alafia River At Lithia

* Until Tuesday afternoon.

* At 09 PM Sunday the stage was 13.0 feet.

* Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.

* Flood stage is 13.0 feet.

* The river will continue rising to near 13.5 feet by tomorrow early  afternoon. The river is expected to fall below flood stage Tuesday morning.

* Impact...at 13.0 feet...River Drive and Squirrel Run Way downstream of State Road 640 are completely covered by water. One home begins to flood.

* Flood history...This compares to a previous crest of 13.5 feet on Mar 29 1983.

* Flood Warning for

  The Little Manatee River At Wimauma

* From this morning until Tuesday afternoon.

* At 07 AM Monday the stage was...10.7 feet.

* Minor flooding is forecast.

* Flood stage is 11.0 feet.

* The river is forecast to rise above flood stage by late this morning and continue to rise to near 11.3 feet by this evening. The river is expected to fall below flood stage by tomorrow morning.

* Impact...at 11.0 feet...The river overflows its banks.

* Flood history...This compares to a previous crest of 11.3 feet on Sep 23 1969.

The Flood Warning continues for

  The Manatee River Near Myakka Head

* Until Tuesday afternoon.

* At 08 PM Sunday the stage was 11.0 feet.

* Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.

* Flood stage is 11.0 feet.

* The river will continue rising to near 13.0 feet by tomorrow early afternoon. The river is expected to fall below flood stage late Tuesday morning.

* Impact...at 11.0 feet...Private road and bridge 1 mile downstream flood. Agricultural, rural Kibler area begins to flood.

* Flood history...This compares to a previous crest of 13.0 feet on Sep 29 1979.

Information from Meteorologist Juli Marquez was used in this report. Spectrum Bay News 9 reporter Jason Lanning also contributed to this report.