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And the Rains Came - July/August 2003
And the Rains Came
The June flood warnings and an unofficial 17.09 inches of rain left our flood zone community relatively unscathed. (Average Sarasota rainfall for June is 7.41” and last year only 5.61”.)
The Eagle found no evidence of any serious damage caused by the rains or “flood waters.” Where water reached the storm sewers, many of which underwent cleaning only a year ago, the waters flowed properly. Water that couldn’t reach storm sewers left its mark with front and back yard ponds and driveways filled with water.
Much of the drainage in The Landings is facilitated by drainage indentations in the landscape and slight dips in the driveways directing water to flow toward storm water drainage. These are commonly call “sloughs,” though technically a slough is a hole filled with mud or water or a stagnant area of water connected to a larger body.
Over time the terrain changes as grass clippings cause the turf to get higher, interfering with free water flow. If trees are removed, or planted, flow can be changed. In some instances driveways were built without the indentation and they obstruct flow. New landscaping can totally block or alter water flow.
Some homeowners have installed underground drainage further facilitating flow.
The Landings Management Association (LMA) has historically taken the position sloughs are the responsibility of the individual homeowner or condominium association, not the LMA.
Another area of concern is the Eagle Preserve. It collects huge amounts of water and has no retaining pond. The Sarasota County Mosquito Control office has some concern the Preserve can provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. (See separate story.)
Water not held there or absorbed as groundwater, needs to exit somewhere, attempting to reach a storm sewer. Careful observation of the circumference of the Preserve appears to verify the run off is taking place among lots 163, 164, 168, 169 and 170. (Disclosure: The Eagle is housed on one of those lots). A steady flow remained between lots 169 and 170 for days following the rains. Homeowners cut a deeper slough there to facilitate drainage from lawns and backyards toward the storm sewer located at Kestral Park Terrace and Kestral Parkway South.
The Preserve retains an easement to Landings Blvd. There was no indication of water flowing from the Preserve to Landings Blvd. or storm sewers near that location. There was however, an accumulation of water on the easement leading to the Preserve gate.
Other homeowners indicate large accumulations of water flowing from the Preserve and ‘ponding” in their yards.
Homeowners are considering taking the problem to the LMA for assistance.