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Severe flooding causes evacuations in Clearwater community

Posted at 11:39 PM, Aug 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-01 06:19:38-04

Residents of a Clearwater community had to evacuate for the second time this summer due to severe flooding. 

Portions of Mariners Cove off 58th Street N. saw waist-deep water. 

“It’s heartbreaking to see these people like that," said resident Jason Davis. 

It was a mad dash under pouring rain Wednesday as neighbors grabbed the few important belongings they could with little time to do it. 

“I’m hoping, I’m praying but I might not be high enough," said Kathy Trammel. "My home will see water by Thursday I’m sure.”

Tropical Storm Hermine forced Trammel and dozens of her neighbors from their homes and into overnight shelter. 

“What can we do, except get out of its way," said Trammel.  

Others we found, like Lauren Rhubottom, were not as lucky.  By late Wednesday afternoon, most everything inside her house was ruined. 

“The sewer is backed up in my house, the water from the creek is in the house, there’s bugs in the house," said Rhubottom.  "We’re just drowning, again. Less than 60 days ago we were underwater before.”

Tropical Storm Colin hit this community hard back in June.  The storm caused severe flooding and displaced dozens of people living in Mariners Cove. 

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reports 18 properties were safely evacuated Wednesday, many by boat. 

For overnight shelter, the Ross Norton Community Center in Clearwater opened its doors for those in need. 

Duke Energy cut power to all 96 units.