Flooding in Sarasota County is the topic of SCAN's Oct. 24 Meeting

The next SCAN meeting will be at Selby Library on October 24.

Laurel Meadows after Debby, August 2024

Three serious storms in the past three months have people asking why flooding occurred in areas that should have had stormwater protection. Nearly 2000 residents have signed a Petition asking the County to study what went wrong when Hurricane Debby flooded inland communities. Join us on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 PM to hear a professional stormwater engineer talk about the recent experience of flooding in Sarasota. 

Twenty five years ago, Steve Suau was head of the county's stormwater department and played a key role in developing the Celery Fields stormwater management facility. He went on to a successful career in the private sector.

Hurricane Ian flooded North Port and the Myakka in 2022. Helene and Milton wreaked havoc with coastal storm surges. After Debby flooded several areas of Sarasota County including Laurel Meadows, Pinecraft, and homes along Phillippi Creek in August 2024, Suau worked to assist the County in determining where and why these areas were inundated. What made these areas vulnerable? Was stormwater protection lacking? What can the County do to shore up our capability to successfully withstand future Ians and Debbys?

Thursday, Oct. 24, 5:30 pm

Stephen Suau, Water Engineer

SCAN at Selby Library, Geldbart Auditorium

Here's Steve's description of what he'll address on the 24: 

The History and Science of Flooding in Sarasota County and is it Getting Worse?

In recent years, the Sarasota County region has experienced several flood causing rainfall events including the Myakka River watershed and North Port from Hurricane Ian in 2022 and the Phillippi Creek watershed from Hurricane Debby in 2024. Is the region more susceptible to flooding and regardless, what can be done to reduce susceptibility?

 

This presentation will provide an overview of: (1) the history of the drainage and flooding in Sarasota County; (2) current federal, State, and local regulations and responsibilities for floodplain management; and (3) in moving forward, what can be done to address the susceptibility to flooding from stormwater.

 

 A hydrologist with over 40 years of experience, Stephen Suau has specialized in watershed management and restoration. He has been both a small business owner in the private sector and served as Director of Sarasota County’s Stormwater Program at its inception 25 years ago. Residing in Sarasota, he currently serves on the Technical Advisory Committees for Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor and has recently been performing an independent review of the impacts of flooding in the Phillippi Creek area resulting from the Tropical Storm Debby rainfall.

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Related: On November 7 at the Sarasota County Planning Commission, DR Horton will present its desire to build 170 homes in a floodplain adjacent to the birding area of the Celery Fields. As much as 60 percent of the area deeply flooded with Debby:

The Planning Commission will meet at 5 pm in Venice on Nov. 7 at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail.