LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — As flood waters recede, neighbors in parts of Manatee County have started the clean-up process after Hurricane Debby dumped a lot of rain. Officials said more than 16 inches of rainfall was recorded in parts of the county and much of it within a short period.
Leaders in Manatee County are explaining that they had to open up the dam at Lake Manatee to help mitigate the flooding. They said the system functioned properly by helping to manage the water levels and prevent an even bigger flooding disaster if the dam breached under all the pressure from the rainfall.
They said an alert about the dam release went to neighbors through the "Reverse 911" system and "Alert Manatee" notifications. However, several neighbors in the Lakewood Ranch area said they did not get any of those messages and found themselves quickly surrounded by water.
"We had no warning. If we just could have had some warning," said Cindy Caputo who had to be evacuated from her home.
"I was on the truck last night. Now I am waiting to get into the house," Caputo added.
Several neighbors in the area of Tumbleweed Trail were seen trying to get back to see the damage to their homes by any means necessary. Many used kayaks to get their cleaning supplies across to the other end of the ponded street while others waded through.
Inside, several homeowners revealed the damage as they brought furniture and other belongings out to dry. The neighbors are asking for accountability.
"This is a community that's a no flood zone, that's why we bought it," Terry Eagle said.
County leaders are using this opportunity to remind the community that with more storms expected they need to ensure they are signed up correctly to the appropriate county and neighborhood alert systems. They also urged neighbors to monitor important information channels during an active storm to stay up to date on any emergency.
