Now a week after Hurricane Irma blew across the Bay area, the Withlacoochee River continues to rise, threatening homes in some low lying areas of Hernando County.
- River expected to crest at 17.5 feet
- Deputies spent weekend urging residents to evacuate
- Voluntary evacuation affects around 4,000 residents
A local state of emergency has been extended as Hernando County officials say thousands of residents are at risk. The flooding is impacting residents in the east and southern Hernando areas of Nobleton, Ridge Manor and parts of Trilby in Pasco County.
County officials say the river is now at a major flood stage at the Trilby gauge, which is measuring at nearly 17 feet. The river is expected to crest on Thursday at 17.5 feet.
Some homes in the area are already flooded and some residents that have not evacuated are now stuck to walk out through flood waters or get rescued by the sheriff's office.
Deputies and other officials are maneuvering through the flooded areas in air boats and jet skis. William Haines, a 30-year resident of the area, said this flood has water "as high as I've ever seen it."
Hernando Sheriff Al Nienhuis said deputies, as well as Florida Fish and Wildlife crews are monitoring the river flooding and trying to keep track of people who are riding out the flooding in their homes.
It is not just the water that poses risks.
"You have animals, you have snakes and alligators," said Nienhuis. "Things like that that could come up in your yard that otherwise wouldn't be there.
"So that is a dangerous thing for people that decide to stay. So we really don't recommend it. But of course we can't force them to leave."
With the river cresting at 17.5 feet, that would actually make it the worst flooding in the area since the 1950s.
The river may not start receding until Friday or Saturday. And it may not be until next week that residents forced out of their homes are able to get back in and access damage.