Pasco County

October 15, 2024

Hurricane Milton brought ‘historical flooding’ to low-lying areas of Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Recovery efforts continue in areas of Florida that were battered by the effects of Hurricane Milton.

Officials in Pasco County posted an alert over the weekend that there had been historical flooding in low-lying areas and in several neighborhoods around the county near rivers and lakes. Dozens of flooded roads were closed, and drivers were advised to navigate safely around them without driving through floodwaters.

WTSP reported that the Anclote River flooded due to heavy rainfall in the area, leaving houses and cars submerged in the water.

October 11, 2024

News: Millions still without power as residents assess damage from Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Over 2.5 million customers remained without power Friday as Florida residents assessed and repaired damage from Hurricane Milton, the Associated Press reports.

At least 12 deaths had been reported due to the hurricane, most in the eastern part of the state. There was widespread flooding in the path of the storm, though Milton did not prove to be quite as catastrophic as had been feared. Residents who evacuated their homes ahead of the hurricane returned to check on their property.

Hurricane Milton’s storm surge caused water levels along the Gulf Coast to rise at least 5 to 10 feet above ground level, according to preliminary estimates from the National Hurricane Center. The worst surge was reported along a

October 9, 2024

News: Pasco, Marion, Hernando and Citrus among counties under evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Preparations and evacuations continue across much of Florida as powerful Hurricane Milton bears down on the state’s West Coast.

According to the Associated Press, the hurricane was once again upgraded to a Category 5 on Tuesday as it moved across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It was expected to reach the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night somewhere near the Tampa Bay region Storm surge and hurricane warnings on the state’s west and east coasts remained in effect.

Along with sustained winds of 125 mph, forecasters said the storm could also bring more than a foot of rain to areas north of its eye, and up to 18 inches in some spots. “You’re going to see flooding of homes and businesses, you’re going to see rescues. It will flood in areas that don’t normally flood,” said Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center. “I’m pleading with you to get out of those storm surge evacuation areas if you have not yet.”

September 26, 2024

News: Motorcycle rider dies after hitting curb, pole in Land O’Lakes

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAND O’LAKES, FL – An accident in Pasco County claimed the life of a 22-year-old motorcycle rider on Sunday morning.

According to Pasco News Online, the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene on Bell Lake Road near Collier Parkway at about 11:10 a.m.

The FHP said a man lost control of a Kawasaki motorcycle while riding eastbound and collided with a curb, then struck a concrete pole. The rider, a Land O’Lakes resident, was killed in the crash.

September 16, 2024

News: Holiday man killed when motorcycle overturns on US Alt 19 in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – An accident in Pasco County early Thursday morning claimed the life of a motorcycle rider, the Tampa Free Press reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the rider of an E-ride Pro motorcycle was headed north on the west shoulder of US Alt 19 when the crash happened at about 12:25 a.m.

According to the FHP, the rider struck a ditch south of Manton Lane and the motorcycle overturned. The rider, a 26-year-old Holiday man, died at the scene.

September 13, 2024

News: 1 dead, 4 injured in crash involving car and tractor-trailer on SR-52

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

DADE CITY, FL – A crash in Pasco County involving a car and a tractor-trailer left one person dead and four others injured, Pasco News Online reported.

The accident happened Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of State Road 52 and Prospect Road in Dade City. The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of a Kia Forte was heading east on SR-52 when she tried to make a left turn under a flashing yellow turn signal.

The Kia crashed into a tractor-trailer going west on SR-52, causing the Kia to spin and roll over. The Kia driver, a 38-year-old woman from Hudson, died after being taken to an area hospital. Her three daughters, ages 16, 14, and 13, were seriously injured.

September 11, 2024

News: Spring Hill man killed when motorcycle crashes into traffic sign

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred last week in Pasco County.

Pasco News Online reports it happened Sept. 3 on Peace Road near Jackie Lane at about 12:25 a.m. According to the FHP, a man riding a Yamaha motorcycle was heading east when he was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The motorcycle went off the road and crashed into a traffic sign, causing the rider to be ejected from the bike.

The motorcyclist, a 43-year-ol man from Spring Hill, was pronounced dead after being transported to an area hospital.

September 10, 2024

News: Woman charged with DUI in Pasco County crash that killed motorcyclist

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HUDSON, FL – A motorcyclist was killed in an accident in Pasco County involving a suspected drunk driver, reports WFTS.

The collision occurred Sunday morning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and Sea Ranch Drive at about 1:10 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation determined that the driver of a Chevrolet Impala was going north on U.S. 19 when she turned left at the intersection under a flashing yellow left turn signal.

The Impala entered the path of a southbound Kawasaki motorcycle, which crashed into the car and then caught fire. The motorcycle rider, a 21-year-old man from Inverness, died after being taken to an area hospital.

September 3, 2024

News: Woman on tricycle struck, killed by vehicle in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a fatal accident involving a tricycle in Pasco County Monday morning, according to a WTSP report.

State troopers determined that the rider of the tricycle was going west on Long Avenue near 15th Street shortly before 2 a.m. in front of a Suzuki SX4. The driver of the Suzuki, a 43-year-old man, overtook the tricycle and collided with it.

The tricycle rider, a 46-year-old woman, was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital. The FHP said the tricycle did not have lights.

August 28, 2024

News: 16-year-old motorcyclist crashes into school bus in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – A motorcycle and a school bus were involved in a collision in Pasco County on Monday afternoon, WTSP reported.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 16-year-old boy was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle east on Trinity Boulevard when the incident took place shortly before 3:30 p.m. The school bus and other cars had stopped for a pedestrian on a crosswalk near Sweetspire Drive, and the motorcyclist was not able to stop in time.

The teen rider crashed into the back of the bus and was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. There were no injuries among the 42 students on board the bus and the bus driver.