Important info as Debby moves offshore | News

Sarasota, Florida -- Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission declared a local state of emergency and even though Debby has moved offshore, emergency crews are still dealing with her aftermath.

The following is an update on public matters of public interest recently released by the county:

EVACUATIONS

No evacuations have been ordered at this time.

STORM SHELTERS

Storm shelters have not been opened for this storm.

CLOSINGS

There are no closings, other than closings listed under "ROADS AND BRIDGES" (below), associated with this storm.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

• Sarasota County: County offices remain open during regular operation hours.
• City of Sarasota: County offices remain open during regular operation hours.
• City of Venice: County offices remain open during regular operation hours.
• City of North Port: County offices remain open during regular operation hours.
• Town of Longboat Key: County offices remain open during regular operation hours.

ROADS AND BRIDGES

• Richardson Road, west of Coburn Road, in Sarasota is closed due to a culvert failure and partial collapse of the roadway.
• North Beach Road to Columbus Avenue (Siesta Key Village).
• Per order of the U.S. Coast Guard, movable bridges remain locked down to allow vehicular traffic to pass. Vessel traffic is limited. Bridges will not open unless a vessel is in distress.

Motorists are advised to avoid the following due to standing water:

• 5200 block of Avenida Del Mar (Siesta Key)
• 4100 block of Roberts Point Circle (Siesta Key)
• 2700 block of 18th Street (Sarasota)
• Point of Rocks (Siesta Key)
• Beach Road at Siesta Beach
• 1900 block of Hillview Avenue (Sarasota)
• 1400 block of Hillview Avenue (Sarasota)
• 4500 block of Banana Place (Siesta Key)
• Gulf Meade Drive (Sarasota)
• Myakka Drive (Sarasota)
• Canal Road (Siesta Key)
• North Beach Road (Siesta Key)
• Givens Street (Sarasota)
• Seaside Drive (Siesta Key)
• Blind Pass Road at Manasota Beach Road (Sarasota)

Canal/drainage overflow issues continue at:

• 4500 block of Del Sol Boulevard (Siesta Key)
• 4500 block of Banana Place (Siesta Key)
• Camino Real at Field Road (Sarasota)
• Colonial Oaks area (Sarasota)
• 4000 block of Red Rock (Sarasota)
• Indian Beach Lane at Myrtle Street (Sarasota)
• Poinciana Road (Venice)
• 2200 block of Pinehurst Street (Sarasota)
• 61st Street at Middle Avenue (City of Sarasota)
• Bay Point at Palm Avenue (City of Sarasota)
• Beneva Road at Lockwood Ridge Road (Sarasota)
• Twin Lakes Park Green Building (Sarasota)
• 2500 block of 24th Street (Sarasota)
• 2300 block of Hermitage Boulevard (Venice)
• Venetia Street (Venice)
• 900 block of Osborne Drive (Sarasota)
• 4300 block of S. Tamiami Trail (Venice)
• 3000 block of Gulf Gate Drive (Sarasota)
• 100 block of Bird Key Drive (City of Sarasota)
• 5000 block of Boca Raton Avenue (Sarasota)

Traffic signals are flashing at the following intersections: Treat non-functioning intersections as four-way stops.

• Bee Ridge at Beneva roads (Sarasota)
• U.S. 301 at Northgate Court (Sarasota)

Traffic signage is damaged or down at the following locations:

• Friendship Drive at Allen Place (Sarasota)
• Jacaranda Blvd. at Venice Avenue (Venice)

SCHOOLS

There are no school closings associated with this storm.

SARASOTA COUNTY AREA TRANSIT (SCAT)

There are no changes to SCAT operating schedules.

GARBAGE COLLECTION

• Sarasota County: There are no changes to collection of garbage or yard waste.
• City of Sarasota: There are no changes to collection of garbage or yard waste.
• City of Venice: There are no changes to collection of garbage or yard waste.
• City of North Port: There are no changes to collection of garbage or yard waste.
• Town of Longboat Key: There are no changes to collection of garbage or yard waste.

Shoreline Damage Assessment

• Up to 30 feet of dune were eroded throughout Manasota Key and North Manasota Key.
• The worst erosion took place from the Sarasota/Charlotte county line to Blind Pass Park (mid-beach).
• Approximately 50 feet of dune was estimated to be eroded away at Blind Pass Park.
• Substantial loss of dune vegetation and many trees toppled.
• Structural damage to decks and dune walkovers.
• Some dune walkover structures were completely washed out.
• At least three residential structures are threatened, sitting at the edge of the new eroded bluff line.
• A step seawall was undermined by wave action.
• A portion of Manasota Key Road at the north end of the Blind Pass Park was threatened by dune erosion. The bluff has been eroded all the way to the edge of that portion of the road (about 200-300 feet long).

ELECTRICAL OUTAGES

There are no reported power outages due to the storm.

LOCALIZED FLOODING

There are reports of localized flooding, including on Siesta Key.

BOIL WATER ALERTS

There are no boil water advisories associated with this storm.

County staff continue to monitor water levels on the Myakka River and at the Celery Fields. Maintenance crews continue to mitigate the effects of fresh and tidal waters and wind damage.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net.