Latest issueAir show takes off in Punta Gorda; SMH breaks ground in VeniceRead now

5AM North PortSubscribe — it’s free

71°Partly cloudyHigh 84° · Low 71° · 36% rain

  1. 6 a.m.72°
  2. Noon82°
  3. 6 p.m.78°
  4. Midnight73°

6:40 a.m. 5:44 p.m.

Forecasted byThe Weather Channel

See this week
  1. 6 a.m.72°
  2. Noon82°
  3. 6 p.m.78°
  4. Midnight73°
  1. Today84°71°
  2. Wed87°69°
  3. Thu87°69°
  4. Fri85°68°
  5. Sat85°64°

6:40 a.m. 5:44 p.m.

See full forecast

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

DeSantis declares flood emergency for DeSoto and six other counties

Plus, a new VA clinic is planned, and a Port Charlotte clinic would move to North Port.

The 5AM North Port team2 stories13 sources5 min read

WeatherTop story

DeSantis declares a state of emergency for DeSoto and six other counties after heavy rain

The flooding emergency runs through a Peace River crest Thursday

  1. Oct. 31Widespread heavy rain begins across parts of the state.
  2. Nov. 2DeSantis declares a state of emergency for seven counties.
  3. Nov. 4DeSoto County schools are canceled through Wednesday, Nov. 4.
  4. Nov. 5The is expected to crest just west of Arcadia Thursday evening.

Sources: ABC7 WWSB, WBBH

If you live in DeSoto County or drive through it, the water isn't done yet. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Monday for Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Heavy rain has fallen across parts of the state since Oct. 31, and high water has made for dangerous conditions in North Port too.

Rain totals have reached up to a foot near Avon Park and Sebring, and in Highlands, eastern Hardee and DeSoto counties, ABC7 chief meteorologist Bob Harrigan said. Rivers will keep rising, he said, even though rain isn't expected to match the past 48 hours. The is expected to crest just west of Arcadia on Thursday evening, and Harrigan said 60 homes could be inundated.

  • DeSoto County schools: canceled through Wed., Nov. 4
  • Tuesday: First Alert Weather Day, inland counties only
  • Emergency order: expires in 60 days unless extended
  • Officials urge drivers to turn around at flooded roads

60homes that could be inundated, Harrigan said

Harrigan said the river is expected to crest just west of Arcadia on Thursday evening.

Source: ABC7 WWSB

Asked

Tap an answer to see how North Port answered.

Asked

How are you getting around while the water is high?

Be the first to answer.

Health

A new two-story VA clinic is planned for Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Sarasota

If you're a veteran in Sarasota County, here's what's coming. will replace the Sarasota VA Clinic with a new two-story clinic at 2390 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, according to the VA. The project is in the design phase. The Herald-Tribune says the building replaces the existing clinic on Bee Ridge Road.

The new Sarasota VA clinic will have 109,688 square feet

Floor area of the new Sarasota VA clinic, beside places you know

The new Sarasota VA clinic109,688 sq. ft.Per the VA
A football field57,600 sq. ft.end zones included
A basketball court4,700 sq. ft.NBA size

23 basketball courts would fit inside the new Sarasota VA clinic

Source: mysuncoast.com

View as table
Floor area
The new Sarasota VA clinic109,688 sq. ft. (Per the VA)
A football field57,600 sq. ft. (end zones included)
A basketball court4,700 sq. ft. (NBA size)

Closer to home, a rendering in the Herald-Tribune's gallery shows the Port Charlotte VA Clinic, which would actually be relocated to North Port, in the near North Port City Hall. One wrinkle: the gallery's headline says 135,000 square feet, while the VA says the Sarasota building will have 109,688.

  • Services: mental health, audiology, optometry, dental, telehealth
  • Primary care: expanded capacity
  • Lessor: Cullinan JV LLC
  • Construction: projected to begin in late 2027

The planned Sarasota VA clinic by the numbers

109,688
square feet of space, per the VA
120,000+
veterans a year the clinic is projected to serve
Late 2027
when construction is projected to begin

Source: mysuncoast.com

Sponsored

Apparel

5 women’s sweaters, cardigans, and fall tops under $35

Presented by The Buy

Sponsored

Fall is in full swing. Make sure your wardrobe is equipped for the get-togethers, cozy days, and special occasions ahead with five tops + cardigans you can grab for an instant look.

  • Asymmetrical bell sleeve top | $9.99 while sale lasts | Rib-stretch fabric and a boat neck make this a feminine, flirty top perfect for date night.
  • Merino blend scoop neck | $23.19 while sale lasts | Top-rated, this lightweight merino wool blend is easy to throw on and goes with everything.
  • Chunky popcorn cardigan | $34.98 while sale lasts | You’ll reach for this cozy, chunky knit every time there’s a chill in the air.
  • Open front cardigan coat | $32.99 | Go for a pop of yellow or classic navy, grey, or black in this warm winter knit that turns jeans and a tee into an instant outfit.
  • Pleated cardigan | $28.99 | This open-front knit made from 100% soft viscose has extra flair with a pleated bottom hem.

More worth The Buy

News Notes

Price Boulevard

Price Boulevard was closed Monday between Cranberry and Salford boulevards because of water near the , and the city said to use U.S. 41 as a detour. Residents between those streets can get home but can't cross the waterway, and questions go to 941-240-6960. WINK News

Election Day

Early voting has ended, and Election Day is today. WINK posted where-to-vote links for Sarasota and DeSoto counties, among others. WINK News

Snook Haven

Snook Haven Park will reopen to the public Friday, Nov. 6 after an $8.75 million improvement project along the Myakka River. Business Observer

Sea turtles

documented 4,928 sea turtle nests along 35 miles of Sarasota County coast, Longboat Key to Venice, in 2026. That's 4,732 loggerhead nests and 196 green sea turtle nests. Mote's Kathryn Gentile said, "We continue to see nest numbers go up, and that is a really good sign because it’s just proof that conservation efforts are working." ABC7 WWSBWFLA

Loggerheads laid 4,732 of Sarasota County's 4,928 sea turtle nests

Sources: ABC7 WWSB, WFLA

View as table
Value
Loggerhead4,732
Green sea turtle196

Locals Fest

A new music festival for Suncoast musicians, Locals Fest, is set for Nov. 7 in Venice, with gates opening at 2:30 p.m. It features 11 local artists, bands, pop-shops and food trucks. ABC7 WWSB

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle.

The Buy

Product find alert: You’ve never used a steamer like this vacuum clothes steamer, which heats up in 30 seconds and offers powerful, even steaming and vacuum suction to remove dust and wrinkles. Use it on clothes like this women’s batwing sweater for a crisp, polished fall look.

Play

New crosswords, Sudoku and themed word searches land at 6 a.m. with the newsletter. Play today’s before the coffee is gone.

Content marked with an * is advertising.

Asked

Tap an answer to see how North Port answered.

Asked

What are you most likely to do this week?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you.

— David Foster Wallace

Things to Do

Things to Do

North Port, FL

Tuesday, Nov. 3

See every North Port eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the job for our readers? Post it on our Jobs board.

Around the Block

Around the Block

Powered by Nextdoor

Recommendations

I’m looking for an AC company who is honest that can do reliable service and maintenance in my AC system.

“It is only 2 years old so I don’t need a replacement.”

— A neighbor, Glenallen

2 likes · 54 comments

View post

The Wrap

A set of handmade Ukrainian dolls just wrapped up a stay at the North Port library, and they're not heading home. The dolls, called motanky, were made by artisans from Bakhmut, and the artists have asked that they keep traveling to as many places as possible. Next stops are the Jervey Library in Venice, then the main library in Sarasota. Safe travels, little dolls.

The 5AM North Port teamNorth Port’s daily newsletter

How did we do, North Port?

Tap a face. It takes under a minute.

Not for meLoved it

That’s your morning, North Port.

Send it to someone in North Port who’d want it.

ShareEmailFacebookX
Every source in this edition13 links · 9 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WBBHgulfcoastnewsnow.com
  3. ABC7 WWSBmysuncoast.com
  4. ABC7 WWSBmysuncoast.com
  5. mysuncoast.commysuncoast.com
  6. Sarasota Herald-Tribuneheraldtribune.com
  7. WINK Newswinknews.com
  8. WINK Newswinknews.com
  9. Business Observerbusinessobserverfl.com
  10. ABC7 WWSBmysuncoast.com
  11. WFLAwfla.com
  12. ABC7 WWSBmysuncoast.com
  13. North Port events calendar5amnorthportfl.com

Past issues

  1. Sat., Nov. 7Air show takes off in Punta Gorda; SMH breaks ground in Venice
  2. Fri., Nov. 6Sarasota County counts 4,928 sea turtle nests in 2026
  3. Thurs., Nov. 5Venice tops the final Super 10 as playoffs begin
  4. Wed., Nov. 4Peace River forecast to crest Thursday as Sarasota County renews its land program
Every edition

Free every morning

Get 5AM North Port in your inbox.

The news, the things to do, the jobs and the weather of North Port, in five minutes, every morning by 8 a.m.

Free forever · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime

5AM North Portto me · Tues., Nov. 36:00 a.m.

DeSantis declares flood emergency for DeSoto and six other counties

Plus, a new VA clinic is planned, and a Port Charlotte clinic would move to North Port.

The TLDR

  1. DeSantis declares a flood emergency for DeSoto and six other counties
  2. A new two-story VA clinic is planned for Lakewood Ranch Boulevard
  3. Price Boulevard closed Monday near the MacCaughey Waterway
Read this edition

More stories this week

From 5AM North Port’s other editions

All the news
WeekendThe Florida International Air Show takes off at Punta Gorda Airport today and SundayIf you need a weekend plan, the Florida International Air Show is at Punta Gorda Airport today and Sun., Nov. 8. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days, and the show starts at noon with aerobatics, parachute jumps and static aircraft displays.Saturday’s editionRead HealthSarasota Memorial broke ground on an $82.5 million rehab pavilion in VeniceIf you live in south Sarasota County, there's a big new building going up in Venice. Sarasota Memorial Health Care leaders and hospital board members broke ground Friday morning on an $82.5 million rehabilitation pavilion at the SMH-Venice campus.Saturday’s editionRead WeatherThe Peace River is forecast to crest Thursday morning, with forecasts of 16.7 and 16.4 feetIf you live near the Peace River, keep an eye on it. Charlotte County Public Works crews are checking primary ditches, outfalls and structures that may see higher-than-normal water, and residents are urged to use caution around flooded roads. ABC7 WWSB's meteorologist said the river is expected to crest Thursday morning at 16.7 feet, though an update put it at 16.4 feet.Wednesday’s editionRead

Around North Port

From Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Tampa Bay Times and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. Sarasota Herald-Tribune12 hours ago

    Sarasota County waterfront restaurant with decades of history reopens

    Sarasota County waterfront restaurant dating back to 1948 reopens with new menu.

  2. Tampa Bay Times14 hours ago

    Florida’s most overpopulated jail is poised to reach an overcrowding milestone

    Despite a planned addition, the Sarasota County Jail is housing 300 more inmates than officials say it can safely hold.

  3. ABC7 WWSB19 hours ago

    Jury duty scam targets Sarasota County residents, victim loses more than $40,000

    A jury duty scam targeting Sarasota County residents is leaving some people frightened and, in one case, out more than $40,000.

  4. ABC7 WWSB23 hours ago

    Farmers Markets Saturday Forecast

    Humidity and dew points drop Saturday

  5. Gulf Coast News and WeatherNov. 6

    'It was, like, sputtering': Witnesses describe moments before DeSoto County plane crash

    A twin-engine plane crashed in DeSoto County, injuring two people who were rescued by first responders; the FAA is investigating the incident.

  6. Gulf Coast News and WeatherNov. 6

    Florida International Air Show takes off in Punta Gorda

    The Florida International Air Show, Nov. 7-8, will feature aerobatic performances, parachute jumps, and static aircraft displays this weekend in Punta Gorda.

    Also reported byWINK News