Hours of torrential rain in Pinellas County began to take its toll Friday afternoon. One canal along Ulmerton Road in Largo began spilling into the Mariner's Cove mobile home park, and when it did, the water rose quickly.
Largo Police and Fire issued mandatory evacuation orders for the community of nearly 150 people. By the time the last few residents made it out, the water had already risen waist-deep in some places. People filled backpacks, grocery bags, whatever they could find, to take a few valuables with them.
Nisla Aponte and her two daughters didn't have time to collect any belongings. "By the time we noticed, we had the paramedics coming and telling us we needed to evacuate the place," Nisla told us.
Another problem is that it isn't just rain water flooding the area. The water also connects to a canal flowing from Tampa Bay. That means that high tide will push these water levels even higher and even further into peoples' homes.
"There are a lot of snakes and it's dangerous for us. Our house? It's full of water right now," Maria Gonzales and Joshua Contreras added. The mother and son also told 10 News that this neighborhood floods frequently and that property owners haven't done anything about it.
The American Red Cross showed up shortly after authorities to transport more than one hundred evacuees to a shelter at nearby St. Mark's Church. "Right now, we're looking at 82 units affected here. But, again, we are in hurricane season, but it doesn't take a hurricane to make a disaster," Janet McGuire with the Red Cross told us.
As the last few people loaded buses and cars to leave, we asked Nisla Aponte what it would take for her to move permanently. "Well, I hope... after this one, my parents will go ahead and say, 'You know what? Let's go move to a safer place.'"
By 11:00 Friday night, the water reached nearly five feet deep in some spots.
Largo authorities say it will likely be sometime late Saturday before Mariner's Cove residents will be allowed back into their homes.
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