Flooding along Peace River in DeSoto County

Families in DeSoto County are dealing with underwater streets and swollen canals as the Peace River floods from heavy rainfall.

Usually, about once a year, the road to James Allen Ledford’s house in DeSoto County becomes engulfed by flooded waters.

“I call this light… because I’ve been here when it was six foot in the yard,” Ledford said.

As the saying goes, everything’s relative, because Ledford’s definition of light flooding is a fairly generous one. Ledford figured out that in order to correctly navigate around his home means he cannot drive his truck to his front door.

In Florida, you never know what may be in the water, so Ledford takes precautionary measures regularly. “I have to pack a pistol with me just for gators and snakes. I don’t know,” Ledford said.

Fortunately for Ledford, he’s never had to use the pistol before but he can’t say the same for his neighbor. “My neighbor has,” Ledford said. “He told me and that’s why I started carrying it because the first day of flood he said he had a gator in his driveway.”

Living in the area for 10 years means Ledford has had to battle much tougher circumstances than average rainfall. During Hurricane Irma, the water gushed into his house and rose two feet high inside.

But, Ledford has a caring outlook toward his neighborhood and neighbors because he understands they’re all in it together. So, Ledford checks on his neighbors and makes sure everyone is ok and is managing. “Time like this, we all help each other,” Ledford said.