SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — A voluntary evacuation order is in place along the Withlacoochee River in Sumter County, as river levels have exceeded 11 feet.

What You Need To Know

  • The Withlacoochee River is expected to be 13 feet higher than normal

  • It hasn't been that high since Hurricane Irma in 2017

  • Officials are working to get residents out safely before the water comes

Those levels are expected to be higher than 13 feet by Friday. That will be like what residents experienced in 2017 during Hurricane Irma. That’s why the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Officials are working together to get people to safer grounds.

However, some people want to stay put.

Michael Difabbio is dealing with flooding after Hurricane Milton. He lives on the Hernando-Sumter County border.

“You got to survive. I hope I don’t have to leave, but if it comes up too much higher, I might just have to leave,” said Difabbio.

It wasn’t until days after the storm, water levels at Withlacoochee River started flooding communities. Sumter County leaders are now advising residents along the river to evacuate voluntarily.

“A lot of our inland counties are seeing a lot of riverine flooding and the torrential range has really left a lot of water in these places. All across Pasco and Hernando counties, even up here in Sumter we’re seeing we’re seeing a lot of historic waters that are still sitting in these neighborhoods,” said Captain Matthew Dallarosa with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Since Hurricane Milton came through, FWC has rescued hundreds of people. A number that continues to increase, along with the water levels.

“It’s a range of emotions anyone losing their homes or seeing a significant loss of their homes, especially in areas where people have lived there for a long time and never seen this kind of flooding. It’s really an emotional range that we’re seeing,” said Dallarosa.

As for Difabbio, he said he doesn’t think the conditions are bad enough for him to evacuate yet. But if the water levels continue to increase, he says he may not have a choice.

“I live in a paradise out here. Where I live, it’s at the point, I got water on three sides so. I still choose to live here, but I don’t know after this one I might be moving out,” said Difabbio.

Residents who are evacuating can seek shelter at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Bushnell.