National Guard urges Shingle Creek residents to evacuate because of flooding

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Residents at the Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee are being forced to leave. Osceola County leaders said there is too much flooding in Shingle Creek for them to stay.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Residents are trying to salvage what they can.

Jennifer and Jerrod Albright live near Shingle Creek and have watched as Shingle Creek has inched closer and closer to their home.

The family said they’ve held out for as long as possible.

WATCH: Crews use airboats to rescue stranded residents in Kissimmee

“They had the National Guard yesterday going up and down the street, trying to evacuate people, asking people to leave, and it’s just our time to go now,” said Jerrod Albright.

Friends and family are helping them pack up their valuables.

Video: Brevard County utilities ask residents to conserve water after Hurricane Ian (WFTV)

“We’re going to get out everything that we can, but chances are that within the next six to eight hours, based on what we’ve been measuring, with the water coming up, that it’ll be in our living room,” Jerrod Albright said.

He said a parking lot with his friends was the best meetup point for a group of people helping to pack his belongings.

Read: WATCH: Drone video shows extensive flooding around large hospital in Kissimmee

Because there’s so much water in his neighborhood now, it’s hard to access and only heavy-duty vehicles can safely make it through the floodwaters.

The creek has now taken over the family’s yard and has covered everything from the picnic tables to their children’s playground.

“It’s very overwhelming,” Jennifer Albright said. “Where do you start?”

Osceola County said water receding in Orange County flows south toward them and into Shingle Creek.

Read: Hurricane Ian: Video shows rough seas washing away part of Daytona Beach Sunglow Pier

“Obviously, don’t run sprinklers,” Jennifer Albright said. “Don’t do anything like that, because we’re getting all your water.”

As the family prepares to pack up their home, they have a message for the community.

“Just say a prayer that it stops,” Jennifer Albright said. “We just really need the water to stop coming in.”

The Albrights said as tough as their situation is, they know neighbors who have already completely lost their homes.

Jennifer Albright said that as soon as they finish packing and are safe, they will be back at it, helping other people affected by the flooding.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 13

Homes remain flooded by Hurricane Ian in Orange County’s Orlo Vista neighborhood

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group