Pasco Co. lifts flooding evacuation orders

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - Pasco County emergency managers have lifted mandatory evacuation orders for the areas impacted by flooding from Hurricane Hermine.

Many homeowners returned to their houses Thursday where they were met with a mucky mess caused by the receding waters. Some neighborhoods, including Bass Lake, remained closed off in some parts because of standing water.

Kevin Kirkland's home managed to stay dry, but a garage remains filled with nearly six inches of water.

"My front patio has now become my front dock," said Kirkland.

He worries if more rain comes, the area will flood again.

Neighbors in Port Richey at the Suncoast Gateway Mobile Home Park were still cleaning up Thursday as a pump worked to remove the remaining water that at one point filled the community. Homeowners said the park's new owner's were assessing the drainage issues over the last few days and promised to upgrade the storm water system.

"They say they're going to fix the problem. You know so we're just hoping they do," said Tom Meek.