Widespread Flooding Inundates Pasco, Pinellas Following Idalia

PINELLAS, PASCO COUNTY, FL — As tempting as it is to go outside and witness the flooding and other damage from Hurricane Idalia, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has three words of advice: "Don't do it."

Pinellas County is experiencing widespread flooding on city streets and in neighborhoods, downed trees and power lines, and businesses and homes inundated with water, he said. Some roads are impassable and he said rescue vehicles are having problems accessing some areas.

Not only is there the danger of live downed power lines underwater but the floodwaters are contaminated and there's the potential of being exposed to deadly bacteria.

Port Richey Police Chief Cyrus Robinson said Port Richey is prone to flooding so most of the city was under mandatory evacuations.

"We've had severe flooding," he said. "Between the fire and the police department, we've had to do several rescues of people who didn't evacuate. We're getting phone calls from people who stay they're trapped in their homes and we're trying to reach them using high-water vehicles. And it's going to get worse because high tide isn't until around 11:30 a.m."

All of the barrier island beaches in Pinellas County are closed to the public including Clearwater Beach where more flooding is expected at high tide around 11:15 a.m.

Florida National Guard members are out and about in both Pinellas and Pasco counties helping with rescues using their high-water vehicles because even standard fire engines aren't able to get through the flooded streets. Additionally, Black Hawk helicopters are on standby for air rescues.

The Tarpon Springs police are also urging people to stay home because there has been widespread flooding on downtown roads and in businesses.

One of the hardest-hit areas is Oldsmar, which received a great deal of flooding in neighborhoods around Lafayette Boulevard and Shore Drive East on the coast.

Oldsmar Mayor Dan Saracki aid he's been driving around the city, checking on residents and even removing debris from roadways. He said his efforts are minor in comparison to the work the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Oldsmar Fire Rescue have been doing.

"They've been out 24/7 to make sure everyone's safe," he said.

Around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Saracki said he feels the flooding is subsiding and believes Oldsmar has seen the worst of Hurricane Idalia. Nevertheless, he came to RE Olds Park to see if the "king tide," estimated to peak at 3 p.m., will bring additional flooding

"I'm now out at RE Olds Park to see if the hide tide will be coming back in," he said. He noted that RE Olds Park's dock was completely submerged Wednesday morning, but is walkable once again.

Meanwhile, the Skyway Bridge remains closed with wind speeds between 50 to 60 mph.

The northbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge are closed due to storm surge and flooding.

The southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge are now closed after being reopened earlier today due to additional storm surge.

The eastbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Causeway are closed due storm surge and flooding.

The Gandy Bridge is open as of this hour.

Stay tuned to Path for more Hurricane Idalia updates.

Please send photos of flooding and damage in your neighborhood to dann.white@patch.com.