Hillsborough deputies rescue people, pets as Alafia River rises to record levels

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Just off of Lithia Pinecrest Road near Rose Street, the rising water from the Alafia River after Hurricane Milton is flooding a number of homes.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded Friday morning as the water was rising, rescuing people and pets with boats and amphibious vehicles.

Bob Haynes got out of his home Thursday night with his family before the water came into his house, but it wasn’t easy.

“My wife is taking this harder than I am,” Haynes said. “It’s pretty tough? Yeah, it’s pretty tough. I was prepared to lose everything in the hurricane. I didn’t think the water would do so much more damage.”

Sheriff Chad Chronister toured the area as deputies went to homes to see if people needed help.

“These are people in the community that are used to some flooding,” Chronister said. “They just aren’t used to it being this deep and this fast and I think it caught a lot of them off guard.”

Despite the extreme conditions, some people chose to stay in their homes, even though water was already inside.

“The diehards are still hanging; we ain’t quitting yet,” Pete Kludt said.

He chose to leave, while others stayed.

“It came in about 9, 12 foot the first day, and it’s been creeping ever since,” Kludt said. “I’ve got about 14 and a half foot at my place.”

The river is expected to crest by 8:00 p.m. Friday.

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