Flooding in Sarasota causes severe problems for homeowners

WFLA at 4 p.m.

[KennethGreenCMP]

Let me suggest what has changed - the other 200 homes built in the area. That is where the rain used to go before the land was covered.

[jameshines]

The county should be responsible for issuing these permits to build at ground level. Homes in certain zones should be built at least 8 to 10 feet higher. Watching these people cry and lose everything is not fair. New legislation statewide.

[marcusreilly]

I live here in srq . I will give you a good example. Fruitville library by i75 use to be surrounded by wetlands .last few years it now has affortable housing built around it. Well that library is underwater now. . Those wetlands abosored the water. But you know what money is more important than some empty "useless" land . When i was a kid srq was amazing

[parranoya]

Maybe the idea when doing a strategic release of a reservoir is to make sure the water has a place to go?

[GarthLivingston]

I hog hunted that swamp 35 years ago when it was cow pasture

[mp]

better planning, developers and county officials what they see

[JanetBilbrey]

First time, Not if it was a flood plain before they built the housing project!!! Where do you think the natural flooding is going to go???

[OketeSocial]

and it is only Aug. I worked for FEMA in Pinellas for 8 years back in the 2000s and the cities and counties run amock with developers to build anywhere for TX revenue

[arena]

This people are in pain, they suffer, and is disgusting to see comments of stupid people blaming them for everything, criticizing them for not having insurance, or not being prepared. This is inhuman, people don't care about others anymore. Disgusting. Those in the comments criticizing these people, make sure you are not in a hurricane zone or flooding zone, or any other natural disaster, and suffering because you lost everything, the same way those you criticize and, judge.

[Superbates]

This particular neighborhood shown has always been prone to flooding. I feel terrible for the people there. Just bewildered that some did not carry flood insurance. That will do nothing for the emotional pain and physical loss. But at least would be a huge plus financially.

[craigp]

People in Fl have gotta quit gambling and get flood insurance. It flooded 20 yrs ago, the likely hood of reoccurrence is omnipresent.

[edmardt]

Aerial view of this development tells the story, these homes are surrounded by man made canals that do not exit anywhere, they do not drain so when the heavy rain came, the water just came up and flooded the neighborhood, also did not see any storm drains. Rotunda West was built the same way, man made canals that do not exit so water cannot escape. The plans for these developments should have never been approved and class action lawsuits are coming, guaranteed!

[RealCptHammonds]

Elevation of a property is like displacement of engine. There is no replacement for displacement.

[Jasper_Seven]

I'm all for helping people like this - give them money for their property, bulldoze all the houses and resell with zoning requirements for elevated homes.

[donniemoder]

"It shouldn't have happened?" What is she referring to? Is someone responsible for this happening? Who was suppose to come help? EMT, police? WHat were they going to do? Was there anything that could have been done to really help this situation?

[elitecleansteamers]

They should have learned from hurricane IAN. If you live by water, having flood insurance is a must

[Amused-pxcr]

Keep voting for De Santis Sarasota...
More underwater everyday

[Indomitablespirit]

Florida! hurricanes, tropical storms, rising sa levels! What do you expect??😮

[Fluffy-xv]

You cannot beat Mother Nature but you can prepared for the worse if only people can see that far but blame on yourselves of how ignorant people can be.

[FREEDOM]

I can tell you first hand sand bags do very little and for me a waste of time plus you dont want them there if water is receding. Just my experience! Flooding is the worst especially in 96 degree weather! This flooding is worse than storm surge in some respects because with storm surge the water can recede quickly after the storm and this water is just sitting there day after day!