Sarasota County crews are conducting damage assessments and response and relief operations today, Aug. 28, in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaac, county officials have reported.
As of early afternoon, a county news release says, county creeks and rivers are saturated and there are flood warnings in effect for the Myakka River at Myakka State Park. There also is active flooding along River Road at the Rambler’s Rest RV Resort in Venice.
Storm tides and wave action along coastal areas is producing beach erosion and damage to adjacent roads, the news release says. Manasota Beach Road in the middle of Manasota Key is flooded.
The county’s four movable bridges have reopened to marine traffic. They are as follows:
• Blackburn Point Swing Bridge (Casey Key)
• Manasota Key Drawbridge (Englewood)
• Venice Avenue Drawbridge (Venice)
• Albee Road Drawbridge (Nokomis)
Because of the rough bay and inland waters, boaters should exercise caution and follow all small-craft advisories, the news release adds.
The Emergency Operations Center moved from full activation (Level 1) to partial activation (Level 2) at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, after people with special needs were returned to their homes, the news release says.
“We are thankful for the many citizens, volunteers and staff members who helped in our response to Tropical Storm Isaac,” said EOC Chief Ed McCrane in the release “It is a great example of the partnerships we have in Sarasota County.”
“We are reviewing ‘lessons learned’ from this storm to continue to improve procedures,” he added. “All residents and visitors should remain prepared and have emergency plans in place for future storms. We have been affected by two tropical storms already this summer and hurricane season has not yet reached its peak.”
For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.