Roads remain closed because of flooding

Then Tropical Storm Debby creates flooding in the Golden Gate area of downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel

The Sarasota County Emergency Management Department issued an update just after noon today, June 27, on road and bridge conditions, along with new damage information, resulting from Tropical Storm Debby’s assault on the county.

Debby has been downgraded to a tropical depression since she made landfall at 5 p.m. June 26 near Steinhatchee, about 35 miles north-northwest of Cedar Key.

Closed roads and bridges

  • Richardson Road, west of Coburn Road, in Sarasota is closed due to a culvert failure and collapse of the roadway.
  • North Beach Road remains closed 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.

Beware of water

Motorists are advised to avoid the following streets and roads because of standing water:

  • 5257 Avenida Del Mar (Siesta Key)
  • 4156-4160 Roberts Point Circle (Siesta Key)
  • 2734 18th Street (Sarasota)
  • Point of Rocks (Siesta Key)
  • Beach Road at Siesta Beach
  • 1920 Hillview Ave. (Sarasota)
  • 1435-1486 Hillview Ave. (Sarasota)
  • 4534 Banana Place (Siesta Key)
  • Gulf Meade Drive (Sarasota)
  • Myakka Drive (Sarasota)
  • Canal Road (Siesta Key)
  • Givens Street (Siesta Key)

Canal/drainage overflow issues continue at the following sites:

  • 4582 Del Sol Blvd. (Siesta Key)
  • 4534 Banana Place (Siesta Key)
  • Camino Real at Field Road (Sarasota)
  • Colonial Oaks area (Sarasota)
  • 4014 Red Rock (Sarasota)
  • Indian Beach Lane at Myrtle Street (Sarasota)
  • Poinciana Road (Venice)

Other traffic disruptions

Traffic signals are flashing at the two intersections. (Motorists are advised to treat non-functioning intersections as four-way stops):

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

Traffic signage is damaged or down at the following locations:

  • • The Legacy Trail sign at Laurel Road (Venice)

Coastal issues

A preliminary county shoreline damage assessment provided the following details:

  • Moderate (5 to 10 feet) to severe (10 to 15 feet) dune/beach erosion has been recorded throughout Casey Key as a result of the combined effects of high wave energy and high tide.
  • Some dune vegetation has been washed out.
  • Structural damage to decks and dune walkovers has also been observed.
  • Water standing from a height of several inches to 1 foot has been documented on Beach Road.
  • Most of the Siesta Key public beach was covered by seawater.
  • Some docks are still under water and will be assessed once water has subsided.

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