Osceola County

St. Cloud residents evacuate as water expected to rise after Ian

By Demie Johnson, WFTV.com and Brittany Caldwell, WFTV.com
By Demie Johnson, WFTV.com and Brittany Caldwell, WFTV.com

ST.CLOUD, Fla. — Water levels are expected to rise in parts of Osceola County over the next several days.

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in Kissimmee, the Good Samaritan Village neighborhood is already under a mandatory evacuation order.

Multiple neighborhoods in St. Cloud are currently under a voluntary evacuation in order to prepare.

Osceola County was hit hard with high water during Hurricane Ian. As that water subsides in some spots, it subsides in others.

Read: Why do floodwaters rise after Hurricane Ian?

Some people got to come back home, only to have to leave again. Some areas are still flooded in spots while the other direction of the street is dry.

The county said that by Wednesday, many areas will likely be underwater again.

WATCH: Drone video shows extensive flooding around large hospital in Kissimmee

City leaders said an outfall pipe just north of east Lake Toho was vandalized overnight, and now water is coming into some neighborhoods faster than expected.

Several people in multiple neighborhoods received sheets of paper forcing people to leave their homes ahead of another major flood.

The situation has put many families in a tough spot.

Resident Mario Smith said at this point, he’s not sure what to to do but he has hope that he will have a better idea in the coming days.

Several areas in St. Cloud are now encouraged to evacuate, including the following:

  • Edgewater
  • Whisler Court
  • Turtle Creek
  • Oaktree Point
  • Chisholm Ridge
  • Hidden Oaks
  • Rummel-Rookery
  • Lake Runny Mead mobile home park
  • Ashton Place
  • Oaktree Point

Read: National Guard urges Shingle Creek residents to evacuate because of flooding

City leaders said that streets will continue to flood in these areas and water could spill into homes.

“We have city staff and volunteers going door to door to notify residents and give them any assistance they need in evacuating,” said Veronica Miller, city manager of St. Cloud. “Several of our city council members aren’t here today because they’re out in the community assisting with sandbags and cleanup.”

Orlando Utilities Commission crews have already shut off power to prepare for more flooding.

Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Choudhry said they are ready to provide more relief to people.

Read: Orlo Vista residents continue to struggle with flooding after Hurricane Ian

Osceola County reopened sandbag sites Sunday, and they will also be open again on Monday at Osceola Heritage Park, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and at the St. Cloud Civic Center from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The flooding is expected to be at its highest from Oct. 7 through Oct. 12.

All of Osceola County is working to pump water out of flooded neighborhoods.

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Hurricane Ian floods parts of Central Florida

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