DAYTONA BEACH -- Florida is taking a direct hit from the nation's foreclosure crisis.

According to new numbers, the Orlando metro area ranks seventh in the nation when it comes to the number of foreclosure filings.

Attorneys with Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, which provides legal help to those with low incomes, said recently they've seen an increase of middle class workers coming in for help.

The attorneys believe the trend is due to a loss of a job or a cut in hours, which then leads to falling behind on mortgages.

While the moratorium both on a state and federal level was called, it helped a little bit. But the worst may have yet to come.

"My guesstimate is we're about halfway through this. I think we've got quite a ways to go, which is why federal help and any type of state help is greatly needed by people in our area," said Bill Abbuehl from the Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida.

According to the numbers compiled Osceola County's foreclosure numbers were the highest in 2008, with 13 percent of the homes there either foreclosed, in default or repossessed.

Flagler County was second with just over 7.5 percent, while Marion County was third with 5 percent of homes lost.

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