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Governor Charlie Crist is asking President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster in 26 north Florida counties. Hundreds of roads and bridges are closed, making travel difficult, but as Whitney Ray tells us, the major interstate through the panhandle should stay open to travelers this weekend.

Kayaks have replaced cars in the driveways of people stranded by the flood. The water has shut down 250 roads and 25 bridges.

Some parts of highway 90 and 41 have already been shut down and the department of transportation continues to monitor highway 10 for flooding.

A 71 year old man was swept away in the flood waters and is missing. Rescue workers are asking people to obey the road closed signs.

“If we catch anybody in these areas that’s not a property owners they are going to be arrested for trespassing and are going to go to our jail,” said Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart.

Kessler Gaston is having a tough time keeping his cattle fed. Flooding is cutting off people and animals in north Florida from the rest of the state.

“You got animals you got to take care of them,” said Kessler.

Experts are calling the rising waters a once in a 100 year event that could escalate into a 500 year flood. 77 year old Corrence Fields is bracing for the worst.

“My son lives next door and he can get out this afternoon on a four wheel drive pickup truck to get more food so we’ll have food to eat there,” said Fields.

But dozens of other families will be eating at emergency shelters because their homes remain underwater. If Florida receives the disaster declaration it is seeking, low interest loans will become available and local governments will be eligible to have overtime and cleanup expenses reimbursed.