Pasco County Grapples with Aftermath of Hurricane Milton: Evacuations, Floods, and Ongoing Rescue Operations

Pasco County is facing significant challenges in the wake of Hurricane Milton, which brought historic river flooding and extensive damage to the area. As of October 10, the mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A, B, and C were lifted, but residents are advised to exercise caution when returning to storm-damaged areas as recovery efforts are ongoing.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office, along with other emergency responders, conducted extensive water rescue operations throughout the county on Thursday. The heavy rainfall and rising river levels caused flooding in several neighborhoods, particularly in areas such as Thousand Oaks, Elfers, and Cypress Creek at Worthington Gardens. Dozens of people were rescued from these areas using rescue boats and high-water vehicles.

Despite the lifting of mandatory evacuation orders, a voluntary evacuation was recommended for residents in low-lying, flood-prone areas due to anticipated further flooding. The Anclote River and Cypress Creek are expected to reach major flood stages, complicating the situation for residential neighborhoods.

The sheriff’s office has warned that the floodwaters are likely to linger for 24 to 48 hours, and residents are urged to stay off the roads unless necessary to allow first responders to conduct rescue operations, restore power, and clean up from the storm. Additionally, residents are advised to stay in touch with friends and family to ensure their safety.

In addition to the flooding, the Florida Governmental Utility Authority issued a precautionary boil water notice for the Mad Hatter East area in Pasco County due to a loss of water service.