Governor DeSantis announces new aid for Pasco County after Hurricane Milton

Communities dealing with flooding days after Milton

Kylie Jones reports

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - The torrential rainfall from Hurricane Milton caused rivers in the Tampa Bay area to reach historic levels. Neighborhoods in the eastern part of Pasco County faced major flooding, and floodwaters are still lingering in many areas.

Pasco County emergency officials said the Anclote River and Cypress Creek have crested, but it’s going to take time for the water to recede.

Neighbors in Betmar Acres Mobile Home Park in Zephyrhills said they had flooding, downed trees and a lot of roof damage to homes around the neighborhood after Milton. Some roads in the community are still impassable because of lingering floodwater in some areas.

"I’ve lived here for 14 years now," Denise Butler said. "Never, ever saw damage like this. It’s been devastating."

Sheri Huff, a part-time resident, said some homes in their neighborhood had little to no damage, but other homes had severe damage.

"We have so much water still everywhere," Huff said. "There are people who can’t even get to their homes. There are people in here who still don’t have power."

Governor Ron DeSantis, who visited Betmar Acres, announced $500,000 in additional funding that will be distributed to non-profit organizations to help with storm recovery. The governor said more recovery resources are being deployed in Pasco County and around the state.

"We have been, at the state level, executing pumping operations in this area since before Hurricane Debby," DeSantis said. "Remember that? Everyone's forgot about that. That was two hurricanes ago. We've also deployed a flood barrier to surround the lift station in Silver Oaks Community in order to make repairs."

Governor Ron DeSantis awarding financial aid to Pasco County Officials and companies aiding in Hurricane Milton recovery efforts.

Governor DeSantis awarding financial aid to Pasco County officials and companies aiding in Hurricane Milton's recovery efforts.

Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of The Florida Division of Emergency Management, said they also just received 20 additional floodwater pumps that are staged and ready to use once the floodwaters recede.

"The Hillsborough River, the Withlacoochie River and the Alafia River are in flood stage," Guthrie said. "So, we're going to have to wait on those rivers to go down before we can actually start moving vast amounts of water."

Line crews are still working to fully restore power in Pasco County. DeSantis said there’s a small percentage of residents in Pasco County who are still without power.

Neighbors said their hopeful after seeing the community support and camaraderie around cleanup and recovery.

"It was heartbreaking," Butler said. "It still is. But so many people helped. So many people helping each other."

Pasco County officials said comfort stations with showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, air conditioning and charging stations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Below is a list of comfort station locations:

Hudson Regional Library, located at 8012 Library Road in Hudson
Sea Ranch Civic Association, located at 13711 Veronica Drive in Hudson
South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch in Holiday
UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County One-Stop Shop, located at 15029 14th Street in Dade City
Zephyrhills Public Library, located at 5404 8th Street in Zephyrhills

Emergency officials said two shelters are open in Pasco County for displaced residents, at the Fasano Regional Shelter (special needs friendly) and Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management said residents can apply for Operation Blue Roof Program for free temporary tarping while they wait for permanent repairs.

You can find additional recovery resources and information about state programs here.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: