Sarasota Residents Reeling from Flood Damage
SARASOTA, Fla. – Tuesday saw residents of Sarasota returning to their flooded homes, facing the grim reality of significant damage. A tropical storm has ravaged the community, with floodwaters engulfing homes and leaving many residents stunned.
Matt Jonas, a long-time resident of Sarasota, after witnessing catastrophic storms like Hurricane Ian, confessed he never anticipated such devastation from a tropical storm. He walked through his previously secured home, the floodwaters now reaching his knees. Notably, Jonas admitted that they had not signed up for flood insurance as it was not deemed necessary.
Jonas expressed his distress saying, “So this is families out of their house, gone, everything’s gone.” Pointing at his knee submerged in water, he added, “We’re talking water up to here, gone, everything’s gone.”
Community Members Step up Amid the Crisis
In the wake of the catastrophe, community members like Dalton Culleny and Cody Shea have been utilizing their small boats to help residents access their homes and save as much as possible. Culleny said, “With small boats like this, I can maneuver into their garages, get their belongings, get their medications.”
In the Laurel Meadows neighborhood, once drivable roads are now underwater, with cars almost entirely submerged, rendering dozens of homes uninhabitable. “I live about 10 minutes up the road,” Shea stated when asked if he had seen such a level of devastation before, “Not at all.”
Joe Scotti, like many other Sarasota residents, accessed his home by boat, only to find most of his possessions ruined. “I lost everything, and I’m homeless. Now, I’m in big trouble. I don’t have any vehicles to work. I got no place to stay,” lamented Scotti.
Assessment and Assistance
Sarasota County is currently trying to gauge the extent of the damage inflicted upon homes and businesses. It is urging residents to complete a survey, which will aid in the assessment. It has also set up a hotline number (844-965-1386) for residents seeking help with cleanup post the Hurricane Debby mishap. The hotline will assist residents in connecting with volunteers capable of rendering aid in muck out and debris-management operations, and it will be available through August 23.
Despite the heart-wrenching stories and grim aftermath, the community’s spirit remains unbroken, with volunteers and residents working tirelessly towards restoring normalcy as promptly as possible.
