NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) -
Dozens of residents in Port Richey were forced from their
homes Wednesday morning, as emergency crews continue evacuations because of
floodwaters in the area.
At the 173-unit Suncoast
Gateway Mobile
Village, off Ridge Road just
east of U.S. 19, power was shut off as floodwaters went into electrical boxes.
People were quickly gathering belongings and rushing to
safety, but not everyone.
"They said if we go out of the park, our vehicle is all
I have and if I leave it then they said we couldn't come back into the
park," said one resident who said they were staying despite the evacuation
orders. "We're going to just hunker down. Like I said, it will be like
camping I guess."
This comes a day after thousands were evacuated in New Port
Richey because of floodwaters. County officials said they are assisting
residents who wish to return to their homes in those areas.
LINK: More information at www.pascocountyfl.net
But the evacuation area still has the following impacted
roads. Authorities say the roads are closed, but they are allowing limited
access for residents on these streets
- SR 54 from Mitchell
Ranch Rd to Madison Street
- Old
County Road 54 from Little Road to County Road 54
- Thys
Road to Old County Road 54
- Trouble
Creek Road from Cecelia to Old Mill Pond Road
The flooding is affecting more than 7,000 people in the
area. Overnight, two county shelters were opened and housed 73 residents and 15
pets, officials said.
Progress Energy also said it shut down power in 1,800 homes.
The company is encouraging people to inspect their main breaker before turning
power back on when they return home, and not to turn it on if water is in the
electrical equipment.
Sand and Sandbags are still available at:
- West Pasco Government
Center, 7536 State St., New
Port Richey
- 7918
Rhodes Rd., Hudson, Fire
Station #10,
- 2952
Seven Springs Blvd., New Port Richey, Fire
Station #17
- Mitchell Field Park located
at 4711 Little Rd, New Port Richey
- 6907
Dairy Rd., Zephyrhills, Fire Station #1
Residents who were self-evacuated and are returning home
will be asked for identification. The county urges people not to go out into
any flood waters.
For more info, visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.
