Steve Suau: An engineer's findings on Sarasota's flooding after Debby
A presentation from water engineer Steve Suau to an overflow crowd at Selby Library last evening (Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024) was by all counts excellent.
Many in the audience who lived inland had suffered damage or disruption from the heavy rains during Tropical Storm Debby. Many more had experienced the strong coastal storm surge of Hurricane Helene, and many more had experienced the astonishing winds and rain from Hurricane Milton, all within a three-month period - August to October.
Suau, who founded Sarasota County's stormwater division 25 years ago before going into private practice offered clear and incontrovertible evidence that at least some of the flooding occurred thanks to a breach in a dike near Cow Pen Slough - a breach that was at least 6 years old, as evidenced by the way the opening was cluttered with Brazilian Pepper and more.
There was much more to Steve's deep dive into the watersheds, the drainage mechanisms, and the sophisticated tools that are available to the county to track rainfall, flooding and more.
Steve did more than explain how stormwater systems operate. He offered several clear, strong, and sensible recommendations: Rebuilding the county's stormwater staff, adding clear transparency to the system, reducing density in floodplains, and scheduling regular upkeep to all the protective features (berms, dikes, channels, etc.).
These recommendations need public support -- when they are in final form, they will be shared on this blog and via other SCAN media. It's time to engage Sarasota County in a serious manner to ensure that it works for the community, the people, and the public good.
Steve's presentation is now available on the SCAN YouTube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbhmxGcoUTw
This was very informative, thank you! One thing you noted was the amount of water collecting in areas at Hi Hat Ranch. I have lived the the same home for 33 years along Cow Pen Slough. In 1992 the yard flooded, it came to within 6 inches of my driveway. On the Monday afternoon after Debby, the flood waters rose over 1-2 feet above my driveway. We were stranded for three days until the water receded. The water came within 2 inches of entering our home (we were very lucky). My concern is, Hi Hat Ranch has been given clearance to build a 'village' with thousands of homes between Fruitville Road and Clark Road, bordering Saddle Creek and Myakka Valley Ranches. Where will the water go????? we have already seen unimaginable amounts of water breaching the drainage ditches from Hi Hat Ranch into Saddle Creek Estates. I am at a loss and fear we will be flooded out on a regular basis, our land will become worthless. Please can anyone advise me if anything can be done to prevent this?
ReplyDeleteCathryn, that is a reasonable question - one which the Board never seems to ask of developers. As when on the same day they heard from their stormwater and public works managers about Debby, they showed no curiosity about the causes of the flooding - but went on in the same meeting to approve Pat Neal's 3H Ranch - 6500 homes largely in a floodplain. I will make sure Steve Suau is aware of your concern.
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