Pasco County Issues Mandatory Evacuation

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Residents of several New Port Richey area neighborhoods are under a mandatory evacuation order as flood waters rise. Others were asked to self-evacuate on Saturday.

Pasco County Emergency Services Director Kevin Guthrie issued the mandatory evacuation order at 3 p.m. on Saturday for the following areas where utility service has been shut off due to flooding:

• 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

Residents in the following areas are being asked to self-evacuate due to rising waters:

• Bass Lake area, New Port Richey
• Lake Worrell area, New Port Richey
• Magnolia Valley area, New Port Richey
• Suncoast Gateway Mobile Home Park, 6010 Ridge Road, Port Richey

The Anclote River is expected to near major flood stage over the next few days, the county wrote in an email to media. Heavy rain Saturday night also “pushed many rivers and lakes in West Pasco County over their banks and is causing flooding.”

Evacuees are urged to stay with friends or family. If that is not possible, the Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter in Hudson is being opened up for evacuees. The county was providing buses to transport evacuees to the shelter, if necessary.

Residents of any flooded area who feel their safety is at risk can call Pasco County Customer Service at 727-847-2411 for assistance from rescue crews. In an emergency, residents are asked to call 911.

Photo courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Facebook page/Map courtesy of Pasco County