VENICE — The city has put a price tag on costs related to hurricanes Helene and Milton: $19.8 million.
It’s too soon to tell whether Tropical Storm Sara, which formed just east of Central America Thursday, might add to the total.
Helene and Milton had several things in common, according to a 68-page report that Assistant City Manager James Clinch and Fire Chief Frank Giddens will present to the City Council Tuesday: little rain but “the worst surge events Venice has ever seen,” with a devastating impact on low-lying coastal areas.
The storm surge for each was about 6 feet as measured at U.S. Geological Survey stations, which was within the range predicted for Helene but only about half the maximum forecast for Milton.
However, wind and wave action created flooding of up to 10 feet in some areas.
Worst hit were the Tarpon Center Drive area, Golden Beach and Venice Bay Adult Park.
A major difference between the two was the level of evacuation, the report says.
The city was under a Level A evacuation order for Helene, it says, and compliance was “poor,” with more than 50 high-water rescues carried out.