With some parts of the county already waterlogged, a flood watch will continue through this afternoon.
By Times Staff Writer
Published August 11, 2003
[Times photo: Janel Schroeder-Norton]
A car splashes through a foot of water standing over Old Dixie Highway in front of Hudson Hollow RV Park after a day of rain.
HUDSON - The rain that pummeled Pasco County in the past few days could not keep Hervey Roy from making it to work Sunday morning. Getting inside was another matter.
As Roy pulled up to Garden Family Restaurant about 6:30 a.m., his Grand Marquis sputtered, then stalled. When he opened the door, in poured the water that had turned the parking lot into a mini lake.
His problems were minor compared to the restaurant. At least a foot of water had seeped inside, leaving a mess of wasted food and waterlogged carpet.
"We've owned this place 19 years and it's never come inside," Niki Korovilas said, pointing with her foot to a dirty waterline at the bottom of a refrigerator.
Business owners and residents in northwest Pasco County on Sunday continued to deal with the effects of the heavy rain. And though water receded in some areas, more could be on the way this week. A flood watch is in effect through this afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
The downpours - including 10 to 12 inches over the past five days in the Hudson area - were not catastrophic, but did cause considerable disruption.
At the intersection of U.S. 19 and County Line Road, for instance, stormwater had built up enough Sunday that the state Department of Transportation closed a few lanes in both directions.
Many drivers took time to pass through the water as they turned on or off Center Line Road. Some seemed to think the best, or at least more entertaining, method was to accelerate.
Rebecca Gineina, a 7-Eleven clerk, said three vehicles stalled and had to be towed. "People are stupid when it comes to driving through water," she said.
Across the intersection, Rudy Feuerschutz, 68, watched water pour into Holiday Springs RV park. Though his place was dry, he was taking no chances and moved his Cadillac to higher ground.
Steve Lefrance, owner of Action Honda in Hudson, battled another problem Sunday afternoon: fire ants. Seeking dry ground, the bugs were invading his business. "It could be worse, I guess," he said, taking a break from spraying pesticide. "I'm hoping it won't keep raining."
