After reaching its fifth-highest crest ever, the Withlacoochee River has begun to recede.
A crest of 17.67 feet at Trilby was recorded Thursday. On Friday morning, the level stood at 17.56 feet. Floodwaters are forecast to continue to drop over the weekend, and the river is expected to move from major flood stage to moderate flood stage — 16.5 feet — by Wednesday. Flood stage is 12 feet.
Prior to this week, the five highest crests at Trilby were: 20.38 feet in June 1934, 20.06 in September 1933, 19.38 in March 1960, 17.93 feet in September 1950 and 17.25 feet in August 1960.
The Withlacoochee at Croom remains at moderate flood stage. On Friday morning, it was measured at 11.26 feet, near its crest. Flood stage is 9 feet. It is expected to begin falling over the weekend.
Several thousand residents along the river in Hernando and Pasco counties remain under voluntary evacuation orders.