- December 21, 2024
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Sarasota County commissioners heard their first report from staff Tuesday on the effects on Hurricane Debby.
Staffers told commissioners that despite the county making all possible preparations and the stormwater and wastewater systems mostly working as designed, there was simply too much rain – up to 18 inches in some areas of Sarasota County over a three-day period – for the infrastructure to handle. Staff said the systems are designed to handle 10 inches in a 24-hour period.
Large sections of the county were flooded for days after the storm, causing evacuations of entire communities and an estimated $49 million in damage to homes and property.
There were 17 sanitary sewer overflows reported, with 1.2 million gallons reported spilled during the storm. Nine of the county’s 785 lift stations had sewer overflows; four lift stations were inoperable from high water levels. County trucks hauled nearly 1.5 million gallons of wastewater to treatment facilities.
After the storm, the county estimates as of Aug. 22, 964 tons of storm debris have been removed.
The coastal areas fared better, although some roads were damaged and beach erosion was noted, specifically the loss of 8,600 cubic yards of beach at one section near Turtle Beach Park, and 14,868 cubic yards of sand lost at the Manasota Beach project. That’s the equivalent of 950 dump truck loads, staff said.
The county is expediting the permit process related to storm damage repairs and suspected certain building permit fees for storm-related repairs.
Commissioners and citizens spent time at Tuesday’s meeting debating if the county’s stormwater regulations are stringent enough to prevent the severe flooding seen during Debby.
Currently, the county uses what is often referred to as a 100-year-storm threshold of 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period, to determine acceptable levels of flooding in certain areas. According to the county, no structure flooding is acceptable in a 100-year storm.
But the term does not mean such a storm is expected to only be seen once every 100 years.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the phrase only refers to a flood that statistically has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. “In other words, over the course of 1 million years, these events would be expected to occur 10,000 times. But, just because it rained 10 inches in one day last year doesn't mean it can't rain 10 inches in one day again this year,” the USGS website says.
The USGS also points out these estimates are only as good as the data used to make them.
Commissioner Mark Smith, who represents District 2, suggested during the meeting it may be time to update the local data and revise the county’s standards.
“I’m concerned,” Smith said. “I’ve noticed the storms are getting stronger. More rain is getting dumped on us.”
According to data from the National Weather Service, single-day rainfall totals of 10 inches or more in Sarasota County have happened three other times in the last 10 years:
Smith suggested the county hold a workshop inviting climate experts and others to discuss the issue.
The county Public Works Department said Wednesday it will review rainfall data used to set regulations. “Sarasota County is planning to review rainfall data related to its stormwater regulation levels of service,” a county spokeswoman said via email.
“This may include revisions or updated regulation of stormwater systems. We appreciate the community’s patience as staff works through the process. Updates will be provided as they become available.”
While staff and some commissioners said the severe flooding was simply caused by a catastrophic weather event, citizens used time for public comments Tuesday to blame the county for not maintaining watersheds and allowing too much development.
Joe Gugino, an attorney representing residents of Saddle Creek, a community on Clark Road in southern Sarasota County, said flooding issues should not have come as a surprise. “It’s a known flood zone. It’s never been adequately maintained,” he said. “I think the residents of these properties deserve better.”
Vicki Nighswander, a member of a citizens group called the Celery Fields Advisory Panel, presented commissioners with a petition signed by 1,300 people asking for a number of things, including a comprehensive hydrology study of the county. “We need answers, not just cleanup,” she said.
The petition also asks for a moratorium on land use changes in vulnerable watershed areas and a wastewater spillage analysis report and prevention plan. “Ignoring the significance of what we have just experienced is irresponsible, particularly in your position as our county commissioners. Transparency will be of the essence as we navigate solutions for the health and safety of our community,” the petition read.
