Sunshine finally made an appearance Monday evening and rain chances are much lower today in the Bay area.

However, flooding remains a concern in some Bay area neighborhoods.

Most notably, high-standing water remains in New Port Richey and Palm Harbor. The Town 'n' Country area of Tampa was also a concern before water receded overnight.

More homes at risk in Elfers displacing residents

The Anclote River crested Tuesday afternoon in Elfers and put more homes at risk. 

“I was able to get out with my car before it was too late,” said William Hughes. 

“It all happened rather fast,” said JoAnn Anderson. 

Hughes is from Elfers and Anderson is from the Suncoast Gateway Mobile Home Park in Port Richey, but now they’re living under the same roof at a shelter.

“I just couldn’t sleep, a lot of us didn’t sleep,” said Anderson. “You see the trucks going through the park saying, ‘we’re going to evacuate you,’ it’s kind of scary."

Currently 5,700 properties in Elfers are in flood areas. More than 800 homes are without power in the county and over 40 people are in shelters. 

“What are we going to have when we go back?,” said Anderson. 

It’s a gloomy time but there is a silver lining: The flooding has also brought people together.

Anderson says she and a group have been playing cards at First Presbyterian Church off Ridge Road as they wait to go home.

“We’ll make it, we’re all strong,” she said.  

Crews from Suncoast Gateway Mobile Home Park were pumping the water out of the park on Tuesday. The Anclote River is also expected to start dropping Wednesday. 

Oaks View Apartments residents woken by deputies knocking

Residents of the Oaks View Apartments off State Road 54 in New Port Richey were woken early Tuesday morning to deputies knocking on their doors.

Water from the Anclote River was flooding the complex and officials helped evacuate dozens before it was too late.

"I couldn't believe it when I walked out there and I saw that," Ray Fountain said. "They said they saw a couple of alligators and water moccasins."

Fountain was one of the few residents who still had power Tuesday afternoon. He said he decided to stay in his apartment for as long as he can.

"The last of the Mohicans," Fountain joked. "We will be here until they cut off the power and the air goes out."

At least one elderly woman was evacuated from the Oaks View Apartments in New Port Richey due to the river approaching 25 to 26 feet. Officials said the river is rising this morning and Duke Energy officials likely will need to cut power at the apartments, ironically located on Highwater Drive. 

High water reaches Magnolia Valley subdivision in New Port Richey

For most of the day, John Osuna has been hard at work trying to protect his property.

Osuna lives in the Magnolia Valley subdivision in New Port Richey where high water has flooded several houses.

So far, Osuna's house has been spared but he's built a trench and is using a pool pump trying to keep it that way.

"I got some sandbags. They have them filled for you. So I was just trying to put them in strategic places where it's actually hitting my foundation. In the backyard, I'm running a little pump to try to get some relief. It's mostly a bandaid for me," he said.

Nearby on State Road 54, the evening commute was slow going with portions of the road down to one lane.

Trish and Chris Jones decided to use their bikes to try to get around.

"We were just testing out that area but the water is so high that we can't get through so we had to bypass it," said Trish Jones.

Meanwhile, back at Osuna's house, he's hopeful the worst of it has passed.

"The people I've talked to whose homes are under water, I feel for them. I'm not there yet. Well, I don't plan on being there but I do feel for them. They've lost property. You know, everybody's lives are turned upside down."

Residents evacuated from Palm Harbor RV parks

Meanwhile in Palm Harbor, about 40 people were evacuated from the Caladesi RV Park and Sherwood Forest RV Park.

"This was the high water mark of Debby in 2012," said Bob Schnoor, who was evacuated from Sherwood Forest RV Park. "So you can see where it came up 3 or 4 inches."

Three residents stayed overnight in a shelter at Clearwater Community Church in Dunedin that was made available for those who chose to evacuate their homes, and Pinellas County Animal Services sheltered two dogs.

Also, Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies were out in the Town 'n' Country neighborhood overnight, equipped with ATVs and John boats to assist homeowners if necessary.

About 50 deputies were on hand throughout the night.

Conditions are expected to be better Tuesday.

As the low pressure pulls away we will still see some lingering showers and thunderstorms, with the best chance from the Bay northward today. But the rain chance will be much lower than recently, dropping to 40 percent.

A flood watch for Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties has been cancelled.