Debby Debacle Questions

 Questions to the County after the Debby Debacle




  1. What steps are you taking to study the failures of the County in dealing with Debby?

  2. Debby set a one-day rainfall record.* What specifically happened to the county’s emergency response to the arrival of Debby’s heavy rains? Why did the county refuse to issue sandbags on August 4, and not open a shelter or shelters? **

  3. Has human error been identified in the handling of gates or weirs related to the flooding of certain neighborhoods?

  4. Has the county looked into the flooding from the Wastewater plant to other areas resulting from Debby?

  5. It’s our understanding that fecal matter found in the waters of Laurel Meadows was off the charts - how did that happen?


Investigation to Understand What Went Wrong


  1. What steps are necessary for a thorough investigation?

  2. Have you done a nationwide search to find qualified outside expertise to put fresh eyes on this?

  3. Some areas not in our floodplains flooded from Debby, and some areas in the floodplains did not - can you explain this?

  4. Are the County’s knowledge and mapping of floodplains up to date?

  5. Please provide a map showing where the worst flooding occurred, and report the actual high water levels.


Stormwater Assessments and Uses of Them


  1. How much money does the county take in every year from the dedicated stormwater assessments we all pay?

  2. What do you do with those assessments?

     13. Given the intensity of climate-related weather we have had, a pause in development approvals for large proposals seems warranted. What do you think?

     14. The number of already approved housing projects is quite high. What’s the justification to approve even more?


Accountability for damaging weather incidents


     15. When the Board is in recess or vacation, what is the protocol for making sure an emergency is addressed?


     16. Whose responsibility is it to make sure things are adequately handled in emergencies?


Commissioner Mike Moran, who represents parts of Sarasota County impacted by flooding, explained the process of reviewing new developments.

“All of them have to meet modern watershed requirements and further more, any new development that comes on, cannot impact other adjoining areas,” Moran said. “These are very specific requirements that come through site development at the county and other communities throughout the state. This was a historical, no question about it, a historical dumping of water.”

      17. Is Mr. Moran aware that Laurel Meadows was built in a known floodplain? See below, the red circle farthest right.


       

18. Mr. Moran will need to address and explain the presence of fecal matter in the waters at Laurel Meadows.


From a resident near South Creek, Palmer Ranch:


        19. They’re planning on adding thousands of new homes commercial and industrial construction off of Clark just east of 75. The runoff for these homes will flow into South Creek.    


20. Palmer Ranch’s Master Plan: Is that runoff is designed to flow into South Creek. Does this mean that Palmer Ranch will become subjected to flooding, similar to what happened at Lorraine Rd?  Does the Palmer Ranch Master Plan include such large scale development east of 75?


Total housing stock approved but not yet built is said to be equal to all the housing stock that exists. If it were all built now, our available housing would double.


21.How many residential units of all kinds have currently been approved for construction countywide?


22. More homes are for sale now than people seeking to buy them - why approve more now?


Accountability for Debby


23. When do you expect to have a preliminary public report on Debby?


24. When can we expect a final public report on Debby, and on the issues raised by Debby for future development?


25. This Petition holds many more questions: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/debby-sarasota-county-petition



Phillippi Creek - Pinecraft to the left -- Herald Tribune


Questions about Phillippi Creek


  1. How many “sediment sumps” are there for Phillippi Creek?

  2. Where are they located? (One is on N. Beneva Rd s/o Fruitville Rd near the old Nellie’s Deli)

  3. What is the clean-out schedule for these sumps?

  4. Who is responsible for the maintenance of Phillippi Creek? Sarasota County? Corps of Engineers?

  5. Who has the authority/responsibility for the dam adjacent to the Community Center?

  6. What is the designated depth of the creek? What is the maximum silt build-up before dredging is required?

  7. At what point does accumulated silt render a “navigable waterway” no longer navigable?

  8. When does a waterway cease to be a waterway?

  9. How much faster would the water have flowed to the bay if the creek drainage had been functioning at 100%?

  10. Should we have impact fees on new developments to pay for cleaning of existing drainage systems?



Bahia Vista estates - Phillippi Creek flooding



====================================================


Notes:

*Hurricane Debby brings one-day record rainfall to Sarasota-Manatee; many streets flooded


Sarasota County Government · Aug 2

As of 2 p.m., Aug. 2: At this time, Sarasota County Emergency Management is monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Four that could impact our area.

There are no evacuations issued at this time and no sandbag operations in Sarasota County. While the forecast remains uncertain, we're encouraging the community to be proactive in preparing yourself and your family. For information on how to prepare, please visit scgov.net/beprepared.

Please monitor official media sources and the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center and U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) for the most up-to-date information on forecasts.

** August 4: 8:30 a.m. Saturday Sarasota County update: No evacuations at this time

Sarasota County Emergency Management said it is continuing to monitor Tropical Depression Four that could impact the area. There are no evacuations issued at this time and no sandbag operations in Sarasota County. While the forecast remains uncertain, we're encouraging our community to be proactive in preparing yourself and your family.

Aug. 5th, 4 p.m.: Sarasota Police Department says more than 500 people have been rescued from flooded areas

The Sarasota Police Department has been coordinating the rescue of people trapped by floodwaters, largely from the record-high levels of Philippi Creek, with the help of multiple local law enforcement agencies.


==================

The county has been more liberal with sandbags since Debby:

Aug 22:




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