Sarasota County residents filling sandbags, preparing for potential flooding: 'We fear water'

Sarasota County flood victims taking extra precaution

Kimberly Kuizon reports.

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. - Sarasota County has made the decision to shut down self-service sandbag locations on Friday night. While the county decided to shut down the sites, residents showed up to protect their homes as more heavy rain is expected to soak the area over the next several days.

"We fear water. We are made of sugar. We want to make sure her house stays safe," said Merdoc Augsburger.

Keeping it light, Merdoc Augsburger helped fill sandbags for his grandma’s Sarasota home.

"She’s not in a flood zone, neither are we so we don’t have flood insurance," he said.

After what Tropical Storm Debby brought to the area, they’re not taking any chances.

"After the storm I was going to work, and it was like a mirror. I’ve never seen it so bad," said Augsburger.

They’re not alone.

"It’s preventative. We have a stream that runs behind the house that was probably eight to 10 feet above regular stage. Didn’t flood us directly, but we are just preparing for the possibility of that overflowing," said Phil Lynch.

READ: Laurel Meadows residents feel shut out by local leaders following Tropical Storm Debby

Phil Lynch lives in Sarasota’s Gulf Gate neighborhood and never saw flooding like what happened with Debby.

"The surrounding neighborhood all the intersections were flooded so we were kind of flooded in, but the house was high and dry so we were lucky there. We are just hoping the development that is either planned or not planned for the old golf course doesn’t happen because I think if that does, that could be a real serious situation," he said.

While residents say they may not need the sandbags this time, they said they could come in use later this hurricane season.

"That’s why we are here getting some sandbags, in hopes that will stop any potential heavy rains that we have this weekend or any time during hurricane season," said Erica Augsburger.

Sandbag locations will shut down Friday night at 7 p.m.

The county also reported that Public Works team members will continually check flood-prone areas as storms move through.

From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, bags and sand were offered at three locations across the county.

The following locations offered sandbags: