Floridians evacuated from Piney Point area can now return home — but the reservoir is still leaking

Four days after being told to evacuate due to the threat of a leaking wastewater reservoir, hundreds of residents of Manatee County, Florida, were allowed to return home on Tuesday, officials announced. However, the Piney Point facility, which was previously used to mine phosphate, continues to leak. 

Jacob Saur, the county's director of public safety, said Tuesday that the evacuation orders were lifted, effective immediately. Some road closures, however, will remain in place due to "future concerns." The 137 people and their pets who were placed in non-congregate shelters will also be allowed to return home. U.S. 441 was also reopened in the area on Tuesday. County commissioners extended the local state of emergency on Tuesday morning.