News

Actions

Manatee County braces for more rough weather after weekend storms caused major damage, flooding

Posted at 5:39 AM, Aug 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-29 08:05:20-04

People in Manatee county are bracing for another round of rough weather Monday.

Storms over the weekend caused major damage and flash flooding in some areas of Bradenton.

Members of Grace Baptist Church are concerned another round of storms will only make things worse.

The church was forced to close Sunday. No service for the first time in 40-years.

RELATED | 1 shelter opens in Manatee County, county roads back open after flooding

The national weather service indicating an "E-F Zero" tornado hit the area. With winds at more than 70 miles an hour, a number of buildings and cars damaged by debris from trees.

Flooding is also a major issue in parts of Bradenton. Although water has receded in some areas, people there are now worried more rain will put them right back in harms way.

Dozens of families in the Centre Lake community self evacuated late Sunday night.  The continued rain on Monday is causing them to stay away from home.

"All the flooring will have to be pulled up, baseboards will have to be replaced and it's a mess," said neighbor Kelli Wayne. 

Steve Urban is also cleaning up his home after water flooded it and ruined his furniture over the weekend. He lives at Shadybrook Village off Whitfield Avenue in Manatee County.

"I walk down in here it's kind of, you know, (it) sticks a dagger in your heart," Urban said.

The water was so high, in some places waist deep, people could not drive in and out of several neighborhoods.

"We couldn't leave the house yesterday. No way," Angela Spencer said.

Spencer walked out to check on the high water, Sunday, when she saw a wheelchair on its side. Deputies are not sure if weather played a role in the man's death. The man was found in the road near 43rd Court in Sarasota, FL.

"I could see the top of his head and I could see a little bit of his back and the one leg," Spencer said.

Spencer pulled the man out of the water and started performing CPR.

"I kept telling him, you know, you're not going to do this. You're not going to die on me, but it was already too late," Spencer said.

Spencer does not know how the man got there because she said he did not live in the neighborhood.

"I have no idea because I mean it was blocked off," Spencer said.

Now that the water has started receding, people like Urban are pulling everything out.

"You gotta get everything out so we can get it done fast to stop the mold and bacteria stuff from starting to grow inside the walls," Urban said.

It was tough for him to see the damage because he was almost done repairing his home from last year's flooding.

"It's a horrible feeling having everything completely destroyed," Spencer said.

Manatee County emergency officials said several roads remained closed Monday due to the threat of more rain in the area. They said they are trying to prepare and urge people not to drive through flooding.

____________

SANDBAG LOCATIONS IN MANATEE COUNTY

Sandbags will be available at 11 a.m. Monday at the following locations: 

  • Buffalo Creek Park - 7550 69th Street East, Palmetto
  • G.T. Bray Park - 5502 33rd Avenue Drive West, Bradenton
  • Lakewood Ranch Park - 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton
  • Stormwater Ops - 5511 39th Street East, Bradenton
  • Rubonia Community Center - 1309 72nd Street East, Palmetto

SANDBAG LOCATIONS IN SARASOTA COUNTY

Sandbag locations will be open Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

  • Newtown Estates Park - 2800 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34234
  • Twin Lakes Park - 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241
  • South County Fleet Facility - 4571 SR 776/Englewood Road, Venice, FL

In addition, the City of Venice Utilities Department is asking residents and properties within city limits to conserve water and reduce the amount of toilet flushes as much as possible during this severe weather. 

Officials say the city has received approximately 5 inches of rain within the last 48 hours.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Utilities Department at 941-480-3333 or 941-486-2788.

The following areas are affected by flooding:

  • Harbor Drive leading into Caspersen Beach Park is flooded. Barricades are in place for park and road closure, according to Sarasota County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources. This park will remain closed until at least Wednesday, according to county officials.
  • The previously scheduled water outage for today for 300, 302, and 305 San Marco Drive has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 29. This outage is part of the Water Main Replacement Phase IV project.
  • All fountains in the City of Venice, including the children’s fountain in Centennial Park, are off until further notice.