Sarasota County has begun a major flood prevention project at Phillippi Creek, after months of advocacy by local residents..
The operation comes months after flood victims of Hurricane Debbytold the Herald-Tribune they were anxious for a major project before another major storm swept through. Many have felt that a lack of proper dredging and maintenance of the creek is a big reason why they were flooded in 2024.
“Dredging” is the removal of sediment and debris from bodies of water. The National Ocean Service calls it “a routine necessity” to clear waterways and increase their depth. The last comprehensive dredging of Phillippi Creek, when WCIND worked from Little Sarasota Bay to Tuttle Avenue, was done in 2002. Since then, some sections of the creek, which the county has prioritized as “high spots,” have become notably clogged…