CRYSTAL RIVER, FL (352today.com) – More than 48 hours after Citrus County issued an order for people living in the most vulnerable area (Flood Zone A) to evacuate in advance of Hurricane Idalia’s arrival, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was performing several high-water rescues of people who became stranded in their homes when the water began to rise.

THE LATEST
At a news conference in Crystal River on Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Mike Prendergast said crews had already rescued about 60 residents who did not leave. The sheriff said about 18,000 people live in Flood Zone A. There was no way to know how many more people may still be trapped in homes that are uninhabitable now.

As of 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the sheriff said officials were not aware of any deaths from the storm, but he said one person touched an electrified wire and was seriously injured.

Roughly 3,300 customers were without power.

And, the county canceled school at least through Thursday.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office used Northeast Fifth Street for a helicopter landing zone after Hurricane Idalia flooded the downtown business district in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Residents see if they can make it through the flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Ashli Shuman, left, and Tiffanie Powell document the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Residents take a news crew on a tour of Hurricane Idalia’s aftermath in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

FLOODING FRUSTRATIONS
Prendergast said the flooding from the storm surge was primarily on the west side of the county. “Virtually everything on the westside of Highway 19 in Citrus County probably has some water damage and some significant penetration into the homes,” said Prendergast. “We know the 8 to 12 feet predicted by the National Weather Service (NWS) certainly made its presence known on the westside of the county,” the sheriff said. He cautioned that the flooding is far from over. “We have not reached the ultimate high tide yet. We are expecting wind-driven water to come back in and make our lives a little more difficult.”

The sheriff anticipated the floodwaters would linger. “I think we’re going to see it for a long time to come because some of this water that came in is not going to naturally leave the county. It comes over roads and comes into other areas and inundates some of those low-lying areas. We’re just not going to be able to get that water to go away very quickly.”

The sheriff said his most of his deputies are operating on very little sleep. They spent the last 48 hours making preparations for the storm. “It’s enormously frustrating because there’s not enough of us to go around and do everything. And, when we have to divert assets away to do water-borne rescues from people who could have listened to that [evacuation order],” said Prendergast.

MANATEES MAY NEED HELP
It’s not just people who will need rescuing. “We fully anticipate some manatees might end up stranded when the water goes out.” The sheriff spoke from experience, saying it happened during Hurricanes Irma (2017) and Hermine (2016).

Crystal River touts itself as the manatee capital of the world. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Crystal River is the only wildlife refuge dedicated to the protection of the West Indian manatee.

RELATED: Manatees attract tourists to Crystal River, Idalia turns them away

The sheriff said they would work with the Florida Marine Museum to develop a plan to help the beloved mammals. “They are very precious animals,” said Prendergast. “They’re part of the fabric of our community that makes Citrus County one of the most unique places in the entire world – to come out and enjoy the things we normally have to offer on a beautiful, blue-sky, sunshiny day.”

Residents walk through water after storm surge from Hurricane Idalia flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Residents attempt to get around after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Florida state troopers block off SR19 after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Rescue vehicles block the road after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
A neighborhood flooded after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

STRANGER THINGS
In Crystal River where the sheriff held the news conference, he said there was at least 4 feet of standing water covering the downtown streets. The water came up to the wheel wells on some cars. U.S. Highway 19 was closed due to water over the roadway. CCSO conducted an aerial assessment of the damage and used the impassable highway as a landing zone.

Prendergast has been the Citrus County sheriff for seven years. While he’s experienced other hurricanes during his administration, he’s seeing some firsts in the aftermath of Idalia. “I’ve never seen a dumpster floating down Highway 19. But I saw two of those today,” said Prendergast, “and I also saw a couch floating in the middle of U.S. 19, heading south from the City Hall area going down towards the intersection at right down here at 44. So we’ve seen a lot of unusual things.”

Less bizarre. “Some folks have seen water moccasins, rattlesnakes and of course alligators – very large ones – that got displaced when the water came up.”