LISTEN to an interview with Josh Taylor:
NORTH PORT -- This city of 75,000 between Sarasota and Fort Myers is preparing for a weekend of flooding in some neighborhoods, because of rain and runoff from Hurricane Elsa, two days ag
The city itself received up to one foot in rain in 2-3 hours when Elsa passed through, and areas just north of North Port received 9-10 inches or more.
Now the runoff from those areas is passing through the city via the Myakka River and Myakkahatchee River
"We see this continuing to rise over the next 72 hours", city public information officer Josh Taylor said.
Taylor adds the city hasn't seen floodwater in houses since the early 2000s but there is a potential for that. As many as 250 homes could be affected. These are in low-lying areas near the Myakka River, Myakkahatchee Creek and other bodies of water that until recently were underbuilt because of flood fears. Taylor says some roads have as much as four feet of water, with water levels rising as much as an inch an hour.
The city is urging residents in the affected areas to leave home for the next four or five days to avoid being stranded by high water. Emergency crews are currently patrolling the area of North Port Estates. A voluntary evacuation shelter has been opened at the Morgan Family Community Center, starting Thursday at 8 p.m.
Most major roads should be open, with the possible exception of impacts along Sumter Boulevard.
The City is opening a call center for any residents who have specific concerns on the flooding: 941-429-7169.
More information on the North Port city website:
Photo: City of North Port