Major flooding has thousands in danger who live along the Withlacoochee River in Hernando County.

  • River expected to crest at 17.5 feet
  • Deputies spent weekend urging residents to evacuate
  • Voluntary evacuation affects around 4,000 residents

County officials say the river is now at a major flood stage at the Trilby gauge, which is measuring at nearly 17 feet. The river is expected to crest on Thursday at 17.5 feet.

A voluntary evacuation order remains in effect along the Withlacoochee River for 4,000 people.

The river may not start receding until Friday. That could be bad news for homeowners that are still watching the water rise from over the weekend.

Neighbor Nancy Manning says she’s never seen the water go this high.

“It’s just crazy,” Manning said. “After being without power for six days, we come home and it’s like, 'Ok, we have to evacuate again.'”

Manning is like many who evacuated during Hurricane Irma to come home and see their streets now under water.

“It’s devastating,” said Jody Ozment who lives near the flooding. “After going through that hurricane and now this.”

Deputies spent the weekend alerting residents about the rising river and urging people to evacuate. Deputies told many if they stay there is no guarantee they can get them out.

The last time the river looked like this was the 2004 hurricane season.

The county has opened up a shelter at the Enrichment Center, located on John Gary Grubbs Boulevard in Brooksville.  

As many as 2,000 properties could receive some type of flooding but many of the home are built on stilts, which likely will protect them.