Rescuers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, other states and counties were racing against the clock as the sun was about to set Thursday in North Port, to help families stranded in their own homes surrounded by streets that had turned into canals.

A 1-month-old boy who was riding on his mother’s lap died when their car crashed on Florida’s Turnpike near Orlando and he was ejected.

The projects were put on a fast track, with three task forces created to consider issues such as routes and environmental impacts. "So, the earlier we can start the planning and segmentation, the earlier we can start PD&E," Watts said. The task forces -- known as the "Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance," or M-CORES, task forces -- have met once, in a joint introductory session in August. The legislation establishing the task forces outlined environmental areas to avoid, such as springs, aquifers and conservation lands. The task forces are comprised of local officials, environmentalists, representatives of agricultural interests, transportation planners, members of business groups and educators.