Tropical Storm Warning Issued For Sarasota Region...... (Venice, Englewood: power lines, appliances)

[wondermint2]

UPDATE: Tropical storm warning issued for Sarasota region | HeraldTribune.com (click for full article)

"A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Sarasota region, with Tropical Storm Debby sitting just 75 miles southwest of Apalchicola and moving closer to Florida, authorities said.

The storm is very unorganized but still capable of dragging heavy, flooding rain and damaging wind across Florida's west coast, the National Hurricane Center noted in issuing the warning around 11 a.m. today.

All of the west coast of Florida will experience tropical storm conditions from about Charlotte Harbor north to the Panhandle.

Expect storm surges capable of flooding normally dry coastal areas with up to about 3 feet of water. Tropical Storm winds, start at 39 mph and can cause downed trees and power lines, as well as other structural damage."

[wondermint2]

UPDATE: Storm overloads Sarasota County sewage system | HeraldTribune.com (click for full article)

"Because of Tropical Storm Debby, Sarasota County says its four wastewater treatment plants are becoming overloaded. Utility officials are asking residents to limit their use of toilets, dishwashers, washing machines and other appliances that connect with the sewage system.

Waters are beginning to recede in area rivers that flooded or nearly flooded this morning after heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby inundated the area.

Further evidence of the storm's passing: many beachside business owners have opted to open their doors, despite reports of closed schools and cancelled government meetings.

Public safety officials are quick to report that more flooding could be ahead from the lingering tropical storm, with high tide expected again between 7 and 8 p.m.

Eight thousand homes in Manatee and Sarasota counties lost power in the storm due to downed trees and blown transformers, according to Florida Power and Light. About 4,000 homes were without power in each county."

[wondermint2]

Lots of heavy rain and strong wind here in Nokomis at 3:10pm.

Sarasota County drivers should avoid flooded roads | HeraldTribune.com

"In Sarasota County, drivers are asked to avoid the following roads because of high water and debris:

North Casey key Road, blocked with sand and debris;

Richardson Road, south of Coburn Road in Sarasota, closed because of a water main break; the 1300 block of Harbor Drive in Harbor Acres;

the intersection of Proctor Road and McIntosh Drive; the intersection of 29th Street and Leon Road in Sarasota;

the 5200 block of Avenida Del Mar on Siesta Key; and the 4100 block of Roberts Point Circle on Siesta Key.

Trees are down in the Nokomis Grove subdivision, Colonial Oaks Park, Lemon Bay Park in Englewood, at Albee Road and Edmondon in Venice, and at Honore Avenue and Kensington Street in Sarasota.

Traffic signals are out at 17th Street and Tuttle Avenue, Tuttle Avenue and Webber Street and Cattlemen Road and Wilkinson Road in Sarasota.

The Myakka River has flooded the Playmore subdivision west of La Casa and has threatened sandbagged homes.

Sarasota County is expected to declare a local state of emergency this afternoon, after the state made a similar call on Monday. The state of emergency will allow county officials to quickly spend money on pressing needs without formal approval from the County Commission, according to Ed McCrane, the county's emergency management chief.

McCrane said one such need will be paying for crews to truck wastewater out of a treatment plant on Siesta Key, which became overloaded on Monday.

McCrane also said the county is on a "level two" emergency status, which means essential emergency personnel will work together more closely in the county's Emergency Operations Center. A typical level of three means those employees are more scattered."