ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – Emergency workers used boats and trucks Monday to rescue residents in Altamonte Springs after flood waters swamped their homes in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
The rescues took place on Spurlake Lane in the Spring Oaks neighborhood near the Little Wekiva River, which flooded.
"Nobody was expecting it to get this bad," said Kimberly Pena, describing the waist-deep water in the neighborhood.
She said water levels continued to rise after the worst of Irma's rains had passed through Central Florida.
Seminole County Fire Department crews showed up to help, and so did the Pena family.
"It was hard, but it made us feel better that we could actually be there to help people in need and not sit here and just watch and stand around," Pena said.
"As they started to pull them out, we had to help them unload a couple babies, some children (and) a lot of animals. They literally came with the clothes on their back and their backpacks. They even brought dog food, not food for themselves," Jennifer Pena said.
Officials have not said the exact number of people who were rescued in the neighborhood.
"It was honestly heartbreaking because it easily could have been one of our family members or somebody very close to us," Jennifer Pena said.
It's not known when families will be able to return to the neighborhood.
Watch News 6 for updates.