'The water was up to our thighs': Idalia's storm surge stuns Pasco residents

Jul 28, 2023

Coastal homes in Pasco County were flooded with up to 5 feet of water from the storm surge caused by Hurricane Idalia.

An estimated 6,000 residences sustained water damage.

Jill Bundrant and her daughter, Lacie Snyder, were among the first residents rescued by emergency personnel. The lifelong Pasco residents live one block from the canal in Hudson.

On Wednesday morning, they woke up to ankle-high water.

“By the time we got the dogs in the truck and ready to go, the water was up to our thighs,” she said.

While evacuating, Bundrant’s 2020 Chevy Silverado stalled in the floodwaters. They were forced to crawl through a window when emergency responders arrived.

Their family of four and five dogs were initially evacuated to a U-Haul parking lot, off U.S. 19 and State Road 52, where Pasco County Fire Rescue set up headquarters Monday morning.

Officials estimate 80 rescue missions were completed by Fire Rescue personnel. That doesn’t include emergency responses by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

As of Wednesday evening, 90 people remain at the Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, which is the county's last open shelter for displaced residents and those with special medical needs. Officials say the number is expected to grow in the coming days.

In mopping wet clothes after being evacuated, Snyder choked back tears and hugged her mom.

"When you work hard the way you do, to lose everything so fast – whether we were there or not – it's hard," Snyder said.

She added that she's grateful that family made it out safely, but a lot was left behind, too.

Once it's safe to return, Lacie is holding out hope that she can retrieve her brother's ashes from her lifelong home.