Flooding in northwestern Hillsborough and southern Pasco counties, Florida, in 1979

Heavy rainfall in the late spring and summer of 1979 caused severe flooding in northwestern Hillsborough and southern Pasco counties, including north Tampa. May 7-9 rainfall for some stations had a recurrence interval in excess of 100 years; the August and September rainfall total had a recurrence interval in excess of 50 years. The frequency of flooding of streams and lakes in the study area for the May 7-9 storm ranged from less than 2 to 25 years; for the period August to October, recurrence intervals ranged from 3 to 25 years. Areas of maximum flooding for a 48-square-mile area of northwestern Hillsborough and southern Pasco Counties are indicated on 12 sheets of aerial photography. Drainage patterns, control structures, drainage basins, and existing and proposed urban developments are shown and related to flooding. Stage and streamflow hydrographs are shown for 12 lakes and 2 streams.