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Hurricane Season

Summerfield Bluffs 13-year-old Leah Abrams looks over her destroyed yearbooks as her family works to clean up their home after it was flooded. "All of my yearbooks are ruined," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2024
Hurricane Debby leaves Lakewood Ranch residents rebuilding

Unexpected flooding causes residents to make swift decisions as they work to rebuild their homes and lives.

  • East County
  • News
This photo from the upper bay shows dark stormwater runoff mixing with more saline water from the Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 14, 2024
Experts warn Sarasota Bay water quality suffers after Debby

Increased fish kill and algal blooms may be the result of sewage spills and other pollutants that entered the bay as a result of the storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
2024 is the 43rd year of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's sea turtle monitoring program.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 14, 2024
Hurricane Debby’s surge likely washed out many sea turtle nests

As many as half the sea turtle nests could have been lost, according to one expert estimate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This bridge over Sand Branch Creek was one of two private bridges that were destroyed by flooding on Jason and Summer Thurber's property on Waterline Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 13, 2024
Swollen Sand Branch Creek batters east Bradenton residents

The water surge from Hurricane Debby caused over $125,000 in damages and left sinkholes in its path.

  • East County
  • News
Flooding near the dock on Linley Street.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 10, 2024
Full scope of Debby’s damage still to be determined, Longboat officials say

A preliminary assessment estimates that 35-40 structures were damaged by flooding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with Sarasota business owners affected by Tropical Storm Debby at the Philippi Creek Oyster Bar on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • August 7, 2024
DeSantis visits Sarasota to survey storm damage

Gov. Ron DeSantis offered assistance and heard from business owners following Tropical Storm Debby.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Looking toward Bee Ridge Road from the Tuttle Circle roundabout
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 7, 2024
Debby's impact felt after dumping historic rainfall on Sarasota

The National Weather Service reports nearly 18 inches of rain fell in Sarasota, the fourth highest reading in the state.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooding around noon Aug. 5 off Shadow Ridge Circle near Celery Fields
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 7, 2024
Tropical Storm Debby: By the numbers

A few statistics help tell the tale of Sarasota's latest storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Water made the road nearly impossible around the 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 6, 2024
Hurricane Debby brought unexpected amounts of water to LBK

The storm left many parts of Longboat Key flooded, and water damage was the main issue seen by the town's damage assessment team.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Summerfield Bluffs 13-year-old Leah Abrams looks over her destroyed yearbooks as her family works to clean up their home after it was flooded. "All of my yearbooks are ruined," she says.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos
  • August 6, 2024
Manatee County calls Hurricane Debby a 100-year storm

Some spots in Manatee County, including Lakewood Ranch, received as many as 18 inches of rain in a two-day period.

  • East County
  • News
A sign in the north-end Village warns drivers of high water after Hurricane Debby passed Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • August 6, 2024
See the impact of Hurricane Debby around Longboat Key

Although it didn't experience a direct hit from the storm, Longboat Key still saw flooding, rainfall and heavy winds.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
See Hurricane Debby's impacts around Sarasota
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2024
See Hurricane Debby's impacts around Sarasota

Severe flooding conditions exist on roads in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After Hurricane Debby hit the area Aug. 5, 2024, an East Manatee Fire Rescue worker paddles toward a flooded home on Quonset Road along the Braden River to rescue the occupant.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2024
Hurricane Debby causes major flooding in Lakewood Ranch area

Nolan Middle School remains open as a shelter as almost 100 roads in Manatee County close due to flooding.

  • East County
  • News
General Harris Street by Christ Church of Longboat Key after Hurricane Debby at high tide around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 5.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 5, 2024
Hurricane Debby brings flooding, travel disruptions to Longboat Key

After expecting a normal rainy weekend in Florida, residents were taken aback by the aftermath of the tropical storm-turned-hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County opens evacuation shelter Monday afternoon
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2024
Sarasota County opens evacuation shelter Monday afternoon

Many Sarasota County government services will resume Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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