Hillsborough deputies work to rescue people from flooding along Alafia River

LITHIA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is working to rescue people from flooding along the Alafia River.

Deputies said there is more than 6 feet of water in some areas along the river.

“The flooding is much more exasperated than we ever felt,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a video posted to social media.

Drivers were also asked to use caution along Lithia Pinecrest Road due to flooding.

“This area, everyone says ‘yes, they were used to flooding. They’re used to flooding.’ They were used to a little bit of flooding, and they’re used to it not coming as fast as it has,” Chronister said. “They went to be late last night with a little bit of water, woke up this morning with a lot of water. As you can imaging, the fear.”

Deputies have already rescued a 91-year-old woman and a family of eight from flooding along the Alafia River.

Officials with the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center noted that there was a flood warning for areas including:

• Hillsborough River Near Zephyrhills at Hillsborough River State Park until further notice
• Hillsborough River at Morris Bridge until further notice
• Alafia River from U.S. 301 to Lithia-Pinecrest Road until further notice
• Little Manatee River at Wimauma at U.S. 301 until further notice

The river is expected to continue rising. Anyone with an emergency in the area should call 911.

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