SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — Officials in Sumter County issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents along the Withlacoochee River on Monday.

The voluntary evacuation order was posted on social media and said water levels exceeded 11 feet on Monday and were expected to exceed 13 feet by Oct. 18.

First responders had set up a staging area with fire engines, a flood rescue vehicle and an airboat at the intersection of County Road 684 and County Road 688 near the Croom area.

Sheriff’s deputies went door to door by airboat, asking people if they wanted to be evacuated.

According to the Sumter County Fire and Rescue Department on scene, 13 people were evacuated along with pets around 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Some first responders were seen wading in floodwaters as they went door-to-door to alert residents.

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Catherine Wetelainen and Roy and Ellen Thebo were among the people who decided to evacuate.

“It will be questionable whether we have water in the house or not,” Roy Thebo said. “We were away during the hurricane and came back about three days ago and now they want us out, so heed the warning and leave.”

The Thebos were evacuated during Hurricane Milton and left their home just days after their return.

“We evacuated and then came back,” Ellen Thebo said. “At least we have our neighbors, our animals.”

All three were evacuated with animals, including a German Shepherd, a pug and chicks.

“These guys did a great job helping us in their boat, they brought my chickens, my little chickens, they are less than a week old,” said Catherine Wetelainen.

In a neighborhood near Lake Bowling, resident Andre Ricaldi told News 6 that water began rising behind his home over the weekend, days after Milton had already died.

“We use kayaks to get belongings out of our house, especially things that can’t be replaced,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking because you survive the storm and then the water rises higher and higher.”

Although an official evacuation order has not yet been issued for Ricaldi’s neighborhood, the rising waters are still causing significant problems. Ricaldi now has to park his truck on the street and kayak to his house. He also loaned his neighbors kayaks to help them cope with the floods.

Jimmy Boyd, another resident near Lake Bowling, echoed Ricaldi’s concerns about rising water levels. Despite his efforts, Boyd expressed uncertainty about how much more water his home can handle.

“I’m just having to deal with it,” Boyd said. “That’s all you can do. You hope it doesn’t get much higher, but it’s emotional. You count your blessings, but sometimes you still cry.”

Sumter County Emergency Management Director David Casto said it may be historic flooding and urged people to get out now.

“We are now asking people to evacuate where we advise them,” Casto said. “It is not a mandatory evacuation, but we are advising them to evacuate now because if they feel trapped, either isolated or with water in the structure, they are endangering the lives of our first responders by leaving. “out there to save them.”

A pet-friendly shelter has opened at the Sumter County Fairgrounds for those who wish to evacuate. The Red Cross is responsible. Due to the unsafe conditions, the county said all public boat ramps in Sumter County are closed.

To read the full story from Sumter County, click here.

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