WHITESBORO, N.Y. -- It only took minutes for the Sauquoit Creek to jump its banks, flow onto an access roads, and into nearby streets, backyards and homes.

“Turn around, don't drown” is the motto of the people who live here, and know all too well just how quickly flood waters can rise.

The situation got bad, really fast late Thursday morning, the Sauquoit Creek went over its banks, onto an access road off of the main street bridge, at the Whitesboro/Yorkville line. In minutes, it was flowing onto nearby Ablett and Ellis Ave, Sauquoit Street.

Exasperated homeowners engaged in the dreaded, annual ritual of water inching closer and closer to their homes.

"What are we supposed to do?" flood victim Rob Loubier said.

People once again had to leave their homes, not knowing what they would return to. A water rescue team had to bring a family with a small baby to safety through knee, to waist-high water, rising by the second. Also rising by the second-the frustration of homeowners who do this almost every year

"When are they gonna fix it or when are they gonna deem it unsafe and buy all these houses?” said Loubier. “Everyone here is at their wits end."

State police, village officials and state department of transportation officials Thursday afternoon gathered at the Whitesboro Fire House to plan to marshal the forces against Mother nature.