Rising River Threatens Florida Residents Still Picking Up the Pieces After Hurricane Irma

(MIAMI) — Officials went door-to-door Saturday warning residents who live near the Withlacoochee River north of the Tampa Bay area of the potential for record-high flooding in the coming days. The new evacuations come as people from Key West to Jacksonville pick up the pieces after Hurricane Irma ravaged the state, leaving many still without power and school officials trying to determine when students can return to classes. Hernando County officials said deputies, firefighters and officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission used boats to get to homes along the river to urge residents to get out as the water levels start rising, according to a news release. Sheriff’s officials said the teams were prepared to help residents evacuate if needed. At this point, the evacuation is voluntary. The National Weather Service said a gauge at Trilby in Pasco County is at 16.33 feet (5.9 meters), with the major flood stage is at 16.5 feet (6 meters). Pasco County spokesman Doug Tobin told residents to keep an eye on the rising water and “seek safety if threatened.” In South Florida, students in two of the nation’s largest school districts still don’t know when they’ll return to class, forcing many Florida parents to juggle childcare as they head into a second week of recovering from Hurricane Irma. Miami-Dade and Broward counties had hoped to resume operations Monday. But dozens of schools in the two districts — which...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Florida hurricane irma onetime Source Type: news