SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Neighborhoods and streets throughout Sarasota County are still flooded after Tropical Storm Debby, which strengthened to a hurricane before landfall, brushed past the area over the weekend into Monday.
Some areas are expected to experience even more flooding as water levels continue to rise.
Sky 10 flew over parts of Sarasota and Manatee counties on Tuesday, revealing widespread flooding. The neighborhood of Centre Lake, not far from U.S. Highway 301, was inundated with floodwaters. Aerials showed some residents using kayaks to get to their homes. Water reached to some home's foundations, and some people's cars were left stranded in inches of water in driveways.
According to Google Maps, the Centre Lake community surrounds a lake, which overflowed due to record-breaking rainfall in Sarasota.
Several miles south, floodwaters were still covering roads and neighborhoods. Sky 10 showed the football field at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School was completely submerged under inches of water.
As recovery begins now that the storm has passed, Sarasota County leaders say they are working to facilitate repairs and cleanup. Residents can help expedite some relief by filling out a voluntary damage assessment online, the county said. Anyone who needs assistance filling out the form can call 311.
The No. 1 advice leaders are urging residents to comply with — don't walk or drive in floodwaters. Turn around, don't drown. Walking in floodwaters could result in injury or infection because the water could be full of debris, waste and roads could be damaged beneath. Anyone with cuts or open wounds should avoid contact with floodwaters.
Crews are reportedly still working to repair roads, namely Manasota Beach Road and North Casey Key Road, and remove debris.
Residents looking to get rid of their own debris and garbage can begin getting service from waste management starting Tuesday.
RELATED: More than 200 people rescued in Manatee County due to rising floodwaters from Hurricane Debby
There will be a one-day shift to the regular collection schedule and will run as follows:
- Tuesday, Aug. 6 – collection for Monday customers (garbage and recycling only; no yard waste collection).
- Wednesday, Aug. 7 – collection for Tuesday customers.
- Thursday, Aug. 8 – collection for Wednesday customers.
- Friday, Aug. 9 – collection for Thursday customers.
- Saturday, Aug. 10 – collection for Friday customers.
For information on yard waste collection and to make sure your garbage is ready to be taken during collection, click or tap here.