DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. — Water rescues continue in DeSoto County as the Peace River rises to historic levels. The river went from roughly 15 ft to 23 ft in less than a week. Officials hope levels to start decreasing soon. Right now, for every airboat gliding out into the Peace River from the river on the road, another one comes in with someone’s loved one on board. Julian Villegas’ family is coming any minute. “It’s just we have a newborn over there, some family they’re running short on water and food,” Villegas said. He tried getting to his family instead of relying on first responders. However, the flooded river covered every access point. “Earlier we had tried going down 17, and some back roads on Nocatee, even made it to King’s Highway on 70-72, but everything’s flooded, roads are broken, bridges destroyed and everything,” he said. As he finally saw parts of his family arriving to the shore on 70, Villegas wanted to say thank you to the first responders from all over Florida who came to help. “Honestly, it’s a beautiful thing having a community like this. Floridians helping Floridians, I think it’s beautiful. It helps a lot,” he said. DeSoto County estimates they’ve done more than 50 rescues and are continuing to run supplies to people by boat.