See Longboat Key after Idalia: North-end flooding, strewn debris

Some parts of Gulf of Mexico Drive and side streets remained flooded when Longboat Key reopened Wednesday evening.

By Carter Weinhofer
| 8:30 p.m. August 30, 2023

Norton Street, a historically flooded street, was one of the side streets that was still flooded when residents were allowed back on Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

At first glimpse, Hurricane Idalia’s storms left Longboat Key with flooded side streets and some scattered damage from wind and trees.

Longboat Key opened at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday evening for residents, business owners and employees to assess the damage left by Idalia.

The north end of the island sustained the most flooding, with some side streets, like Norton Street, still holding deep water as of Wednesday evening.

Town hall will reopen Thursday morning, along with Publix and other Longboat Key businesses.

In a briefing to town commissioners, Tipton said in the damage assessment team’s initial drive that they estimated 70 structures may have had water intrusion. That team will work over the following days to figure out the exact number.

Tipton also recognized the “tireless” work of the emergency response team, including Emergency Management/Fire Chief Paul Dezzi; Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips; Chief of Police George Turner; Public Works Director Isaac Brownman and Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons.

The flag pole at Whitney Beach Plaza didn't hold up to the winds of Hurricane Idalia.

A resident's driveway was made impassable by a fallen tree branch.

Bayfront Park sustained minor damages, including the Little Free Library that was ripped from the ground.

The public beach access point on Gulfside Road was left with nearly knee-deep water.

The area around plaza at 6350 Gulf of Mexico Drive took on some water from Hurricane Idalia's storm surge.

Some parts of the north end of Gulf of Mexico Drive still had flooding and debris on Wednesday evening.

author

Carter Weinhofer

Carter Weinhofer is the Longboat Key news reporter for the Observer. Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, he moved to St. Petersburg to attend Eckerd College until graduating in 2023. During his entire undergraduate career, he worked at the student newspaper, The Current, holding positions from science reporter to editor-in-chief.