- December 30, 2024
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This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Manatee County has listed 29 road closures due to weather conditions.
East County roads included are:
Also: major standing water reported on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard just north of Main Street at Lakewood Ranch; and University Parkway just east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, on many streets in Mill Creek.
According to the Sarasota Police Department the following road closures are in effect:
According to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office severe flooding conditions exist on the following roads:
As of Monday morning, Sarasota County Water Atlas rain gauges were overflowing with rainfall amounts as high as 11.41 inches at Holiday Bayou Canal near Sarasota Square Mall and 11.28 inches at the Hudson Canal monitoring station in Arlington Park.
In North Sarasota, 10.69 inches was measured at Phillippi Canal in the Desoto Lakes area and 7.87 inches at Bobby Jones Golf Club. Although rainfall is generally significantly lower farther inland, east of I-75 10.7 inches was measured at Lakewood Ranch near Fruitville Road, 8.32 inches near Palmer Boulevard and 8.61 inches near Twin Lakes Park.
To view rainfall amounts in real time visit the Sarasota County Water Atlas website.
Rain continues to fall as Hurricane Debby remains on a track to make landfall later this morning with 80 mph sustained winds in the Big Bend area of Florida.
Data shows varying rainfall totals from Debby throughout the area. One measuring station on Arlington Street near Sarasota Memorial Hospital has recorded 11.28 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, according to the Sarasota County Water Atlas.
Sarasota Police have closed the John Ringling Causeway, from St. Armands Circle east toward Bird Key.
Several more roads in the city have also closed due to flooding from heavy overnight rain:
A tornado watch remains in effect for the area until 4 p.m.
Sarasota County remains under the following warnings and watches:
Sarasota County has declared a local state of emergency as Tropical Storm Debby made itself felt Sunday on the Suncoast.
The National Weather Service has also extended a flash flood warning for the city of Sarasota until 9:30 p.m. tonight.
The existing flood watch in the city remains until 9:30 p.m. Monday.
Sarasota Police are urging people to avoid the barrier islands until the storm passes.
At 6 p.m., Sarasota Police reported at least seven area roads were impassable due to floodwater:
Tropical Storm Debby made itself felt Sunday in Sarasota County, flooding portions of St. Armands Circle and Siesta Key.
At 2:30 p.m., the county reported that Benjamin Franklin Drive was flooding near the Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach, and the area of Ken Thompson Park was also starting to experience flooding.
"We ask residents to stay put, and nonresidents should avoid the area," the county posted on social media.
North Beach Road on Siesta Key was covered with about a foot of sand, the county reported. County crews plan to clear the road once the storm passes.
To the south, Manasota Key Road at the north end of Blind Pass Beach was underwater and closed Sunday afternoon. A significant amount of the smaller rocks used for shoreline stabilization are on the road, officials said.
Public Works has shut down North Casey Key Road as it is unsafe for vehicle travel. There is also some road damage in this area. Residents cannot get on or off North Casey Key at this time. The county will evaluate the road once the storm passes and it is safe to do so.
Sarasota County remains under a tropical storm warning. At 3:30 p.m., maximum sustained winds were near 65 mph extending outward up to 140 miles.
The National Hurricane Center issued a storm surge warning from the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass including Tampa Bay.
"This is a life-threatening situation, the hurricane warning statement said. "Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions.
Rapid strengthening is forecast, and Debby is expected to become a hurricane by Sunday night before it reaches the Big Bend coast.
“We do anticipate (the storm) passing through later on this afternoon, and it'll again be paralleling us,” said Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi, in a video update on Sunday morning.
Rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches with isolated areas seeing amounts of up to 16 inches are possible, according to the video update. The county encourages residents to check Weather.gov/safety/flood for the most up-to-date information.
There is also a slight risk of tornadoes "throughout the evening up into tomorrow morning," said Tapfumaneyi in the video update. "These winds and the heavy rain — we should be expecting through tomorrow morning."
Coastal areas of Sarasota County could see flooding caused by rainfall between 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 and Monday evening, Aug. 5. Runoff may cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Poor drainage areas and urban areas may also see flooding.
Sarasota County urges residents to stay off the roads and remain in a safe location until the storm passes.
“This is a great day to stay inside,” said Tapfumaneyi in the video update.
