LAKELAND, Fla. – Residents of a Highland Homes community in north Lakeland are stranded due to severe flooding caused by Hurricane Milton. The neighborhood, located off Kathleen Road, is inaccessible due to 18 inches of standing water at the only entrance.
Approximately 127 homes are impacted, and residents cannot leave unless they have large trucks.
“Our neighborhood was finished in 2022 and while our homes are intact with minimal damage I am concerned about our drainage issues after Milton and going forward with future storms. 127 homes cannot leave our community without a truck that can clear the 18 inches of water that remain 4 days after the storm. All of our retention ponds are either full or overflowing into residents’ properties,” said resident Jessie Schneider.
Credit: Video taken by Darryl Turner of The Pest Cartel Termite & Pest Control.
Despite reaching out to emergency services, residents say they have not received any assistance. They are pleading for help to address the flooding and help to allow residents to leave their homes safely.
READ: Lakeland Man With Alzheimer’s Found Dead After Wandering From Flooded Home
“We have been reaching out to local, state, and various response agencies and have not received answers or assistance yet. While I don’t wish to divert resources from communities that need it more, it is frustrating and disheartening to repeatedly hear, ‘No, I’m sorry, we can’t help.’ We’ve had multiple people who evacuated here pay $175 just for a tow out of the neighborhood just so they could get back home. How can we make sure this is resolved before the next storm? How can we prevent this in the future?” Schneider added.
Central Florida has been particularly hard hit, with record rainfall causing rivers to swell beyond their banks.
Communities in the Tampa Bay area and north towards Orlando are experiencing significant flooding, leaving many residents stranded and needing assistance.
Residents of the Enclave subdivision in Land O’ Lakes face rising floodwaters as the nearby Cypress Creek Preserve floods due to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton.
County and state officials are on site assisting with evacuations if needed, as water levels continue to rise.
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is closely monitoring river flooding in two key areas:
- Cypress Creek: Near State Road 54 in the Lutz/Wesley Chapel area.
- Anclote River: In Elfers.
READ: Florida Receives Major Disaster Declaration After Hurricane Milton
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing forecasts for both rivers, and the Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to stay informed and heed any evacuation orders.
This flooding situation highlights the ongoing dangers even after Hurricane Milton has passed. Residents throughout the Tampa Bay area and Central Florida should remain vigilant about potential flooding and stay updated on the latest information from local authorities.
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