Hurricane Debby floods parts of Bay Area
SARASOTA, Fla. - Update: Flash flood warnings are in effect for Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties until 5 a.m. on Monday.
The Bay Area began feeling the effects of Debby, which has now strengthened into a hurricane, on Sunday and by noon, some areas were already beginning to flood.
The Tampa Police Department closed Bayshore Blvd. from Platt Street to Bay to Bay Blvd. along with several side streets due to flooding. Residents are asked to avoid this area and not drive on roadways that have standing water.
A stretch of Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa shut down on Sunday as the area began to experience flooding.
Areas of Largo are seeing serious flooding as of Sunday night, with some vehicles – including a firetruck – underwater.
By 10:30 a.m., the Bradenton Police Department was already surveying the city’s flood-prone areas.
Riverview Blvd. Bradenton was starting to flood by Sunday morning. Image is courtesy of the Bradenton Police Department.
The agency posted a photo on social media of Riverview Blvd. between 21st and 23rd St. W. showing water gathered on the roadway.
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Further south, Benjamin Franklin Dr. near the Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach was flooded on Sunday, and the area of Ken Thompson Park is also experiencing flooding.
The Sarasota Police Department asked residents on Sunday to stay put, and for non-residents to avoid the area.
North Beach Road on Siesta Key was flooded with sand and water by Sunday afternoon. Image is courtesy of Sarasota County government.
In addition to water, sand was also spilling onto North Beach Road in Siesta Key. By early Sunday afternoon, the street was covered by about a foot of sand.
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County crews plan to clear the road once the storm passes.
By 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sarasota County Public Works crews were reporting that most roadways were underwater throughout Siesta Key.
Courtesy: Sarasota County government
North Casey Road was also shut down due to road damage. As of 1:55 p.m., residents cannot get on or off North Casey Key.
Officials with Sarasota County have also closed the road leading into Casperson Beach due to erosion from Tropical Storm Debby.
Sarasota County officials have closed the road leading to Caspersen Beach. Image is courtesy of Sarasota County government.
On Treasure Island, a stretch of Gulf was flooded on Sunday.
Gulf Blvd. was beginning to flood on Sunday. Image is courtesy of Jason Beisel.
Treasure Island's Sunset Beach was also experiencing minor flooding by Sunday afternoon. Police are asking people not to drive through flooded roadways if they don't have to.
In St. Petersburg, police reported flooding along several streets on Sunday afternoon:
- 4th Street northbound and southbound from 42nd Ave. S. to 45th Ave. S.
- Sunrise Drive S.
- 36th Ave NE to 34th Av NE in the Crisp Park area
- Brightwaters Blvd. NE from Snell isle Blvd to Lamar Way NE
- Shore Acres Blvd NE from Overlook Drive NE to Delaware Ave. NE
- Venetian Blvd NE from Bayou Grande Blvd. NE to Ohio Ave. NE
- Connecticut Ave. NE and Delaware Ave. NE from Shore Acres Blvd. NE to Overlook Drive NE
- 89th Ave. NE to 92nd Ave. NE from 1 St. NE to Oak St NE
Parts of Tarpon Springs are experiencing flooding, with the Sponge Docks and a stretch of Dodacanese Blvd. closed.
As of 2 p.m. on Sunday, docks at Indian Mound Park were underwater.
Courtesy: Sarasota County Government
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