Tropical Storm Debby: By the numbers

It’s been a trying week for thousands of Sarasota residents, as Tropical Storm Debby churned up the Gulf coast, causing massive flooding and property damage.

While the final toll of the storm is still being determined, there are a few statistics that can help tell the tale. Here’s a look at Debby, by the numbers:

Rainfall

Sarasota officially received 9.52 inches of rain on Sunday, Aug. 4, marking an all-time record for daily rainfall in August, shattering the old record of 8.12 inches set Aug. 26, 2017.

In the last seven days, big numbers were set at recording stations in several locations:

• Bobby Jones Golf Course: 14.72 inches
• Brink Avenue: 16.3 inches
• Arlington Street: 18.94 inches
• Celery Fields: 10.94

Wind

A high wind gust of 64 mph was recorded Aug. 4. at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Emergency calls

The Sarasota County Fire Department responded to 495 calls for service between 8 p.m. Aug. 4 to 5 p.m. Aug. 5.

The Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center logged approximately 402 incidents countywide involving water rescues, vehicles in water, or evacuations from flooded houses in Sarasota County between midnight Aug.4 and noon Aug. 5.  

Approximately 500 residents were rescued from rising floodwaters in the Conrad/Bahia Vista area along Philippi Creek. 

Power outages 

Out of about 303,000 FP&L customers in Sarasota County, 45,000 were affected by the storm. As of 11 a.m., Aug. 6, fewer than 2,000 remain without power, due to flooding making some areas inaccessible to workers.

Sources include Sarasota County, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Police Department, Sarasota County Water Atlas and Florida Power & Light.