People who live along the Withlacoochee River, aren’t only dealing with flooded homes, now dead fish are popping up downstream.
Robin Cyrus has lived next to the Withlacoochee River for more than 50 years. He said, "There’s not enough oxygen in the water and there’s too much pollution in the river."
Florida Fish and Wildlife are investigating the cause of the fish deaths and say the lack of oxygen in the water from all of the flooding could be a factor.
They’re also looking into a stinky film that is flowing along the banks.
Cyrus believes the bad smell along the water is coming from methane gas. "There's a lot of excess run-off and sewage from people’s septic tanks that are being flooded."
The flood water is still threatening nearly 2000 homes along the Withlacoochee River and is expected to crest on Wednesday at 17.7 ft. Hernando County officials say they believe that high water will last 2 days before it begins to recede.
Cyrus says he thinks the bad water will get flushed out when the flood water recedes, but for now he says people should stay out of the water.
"Its not safe for them to be in it, if you have a cut you better be getting a tetanus shot."
