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August 30, 2023
Everyone,
We hope this brief update finds you well, and you and your property were unharmed by Hurricane Idalia.
The City of Sarasota, fortunately, was spared. Very preliminary assessments conducted by our first-in teams at daybreak, as feeder bands continued to move across the area, indicate City buildings and facilities faired well. While the barrier islands experienced significant coastal street flooding as projected, with 5+ feet of storm surge covering the streets in conjunction with high tide around 12:30 p.m. today, the water has receded relatively quickly. Our emergency management team has been monitoring the street flooding throughout the day and reopening bridges and streets as soon as safely possible. We greatly appreciate their work throughout the storm!
Public Works and Landscape crews were out removing downed trees early in the morning and facilities crews conducted damage assessments of City assets. The damage assessment will continue tomorrow as our building inspectors conduct a “windshield assessment” of residential properties. All in all, we are very fortunate.
We’ll be on standby and ready to assist our neighboring counties who will need assistance in the coming days and weeks.
Marlon Brown
City Manager |
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Clearing the Streets
As soon as it was safe, City crews were out assessing damage
and removing downed trees to clear roadways for passage.
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As the flood water recedes, bridges and streets are being reopened as quickly as possible. We understand people want to get to their homes and businesses after the storm, but we want to ensure the area is safe to travel.
While the John Ringling Causeway Bridge reopened at 4:45 p.m. today, traffic is not being allowed on St. Armands Circle yet. Note: Only residents and business owners on St. Armands Key and Lido Key will be allowed on those islands for now with documentation (such as a driver license) until the street flooding completely recedes. Stay tuned to the City’s social media channels and www.Sarasotafl.gov for updates.
The north Siesta Key bridge also reopened at 4:45 p.m. We urge drivers to be especially cautious as some portions of Siesta Drive and Higel Avenue narrow to one travel lane due to street flooding. Many side streets remain impassible. Please use caution.
US 41 between Main Street and Fruitville Road was temporarily closed until 2:15 p.m. because of the coastal flooding. While the area was flooded, the newly improved storm drainage at the US 41-Gulfstream Avenue roundabout worked as designed, and the water receded much faster than previously.
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While City of Sarasota administrative offices were scheduled to reopen at 1 p.m. after Hurricane Idalia passed, due to street flooding in the downtown area, City operations remained closed today.
All City operations garbage/recycling collection, all Parks and Recreation facilities, Utility billing, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the Bay Runner trolley, will resume regular business hours Thursday, Aug. 31.
Our building inspectors will be assessing post-storm residential property damage tomorrow, then regular building permit inspections will resume Friday, Sept. 1.
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Solid waste collection also will resume on schedule Thursday. For those who have regular Tuesday residential garbage/recycling pickup that was missed due to Idalia, a special pickup is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2. Residents should place their carts curbside at their regular time for this special Saturday pickup.
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Include your name, address, phone, email, and brief description of damage. Please submit photos if possible.
Please remember some repairs require a building permit.
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