Anclote River at Major Flood Stage

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Florida Gov. Rick Scott paid a visit to a waterlogged Pasco County Sunday morning. His arrival came in time for the Anclote River to officially become the only river in the United States presently at major flood stage, the county reported.

The Anclote crested at 25.08 feet overnight, the county reported, but is anticipated to recede out of major flood stage early Monday morning.

Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Hermine have created a bit of mess in the western portion of the county where four areas remain under mandatory evacuation and three under self-evacuation. All told, 2,477 homes are affected by flooding, the county reported in an email to media.

The 744 homes under mandatory evacuation are in the following neighborhoods:

• Worthington Court Apartments, at Rowan Road and State Road 54 in New Port Richey
• Blue Heron Mobile Home Park, 6615 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
• Elfers Parkway area along the Anclote River
• Suncoast Gateway Mobile Home Park, 6100 Ridge Road, Port Richey

Recommended evacuations are affecting 1,733 homes in the following areas:

• Bass Lake area, New Port Richey
• Lake Worrell area, New Port Richey
• Magnolia Valley area, New Port Richey

A number of county parks remained closed or had portions of them closed as of Sunday. They are:

• Moon Lake Park Boat Ramp
• Key Vista Nature Park
• J.B. Starkey Wildness Park is open, but the bike trail is closed
• Anclote Gulf Park is open, but the new dog park is closed due to flooding

Residents with flood-damaged items will find the West Pasco Landfill at 14606 Hays Road in Spring Hill open to serve them on Monday, Sept. 5 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents with questions or in need of assistance can call Pasco County Customer Service at 727-847-2411 or email customerservice@pascocountyfl.net.

Photos courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page