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Sarasota Journal—Jim AngelSarasota Not Immune __To Threat Of Floods(Continued from Page l.\you’ve got two feet of water or five feet, when it is blocking roads and destroyingcrops.Rozar said he could remember one shallow flood which covered a state road in Pasco County with two feet of water, subsided to 12 inches, and then remained over the pavement for eight months.A major cause of flooding, whether the slow type or a flash flood is development, city and county public works officials said.When construction interferes with the natural drainage of the terrain, flooding will occur. In Florida, low terrain increases the tendency of what some planners refer to as “nuisance flooding” — drenching of streets and parking lots with a foot or more of water caused by sluggish storm drains.Local road departments are constantly working to keep the storm drain systems up-to-date with the increased development, and thus in-creased run-off, but sometimes, they said, it feels like a loosing battle.In the 1962 Phillippi Creek flood, more than 400 homes were swamped with water. Bahia Vista Street and portions of U.S. 41 were submerged as was much of the Pinecraft area homes further south along the creek. The Fruitville celery fields were under as much as four to five feet of water, Rozar said.The disastrous flood resulted in rechanneling and additional bridge construction on U.S. 41 over Phillippi Creek and it seems to have worked in most years since, preventing a recurrence, but residents shouldn’t develop a false feeling of security, officials warned.“The county has had hundreds of homes added in the flood plains since 1962,” Rozar warned. “Many of the lots have to have channels for drainage before homes can be built and more channels mean more run-off into the main creek,” he said.Doug James, director of the Sarasota County Planning Department, agreed with Rozar's assessment of continued building in the flood plains of Phillippi Creek and in the coastal flood plains along the bays and the Gulf.James and his staff are currently reviewing a proposed county flood plain ordinance which, if adopted in the manner which mast professionals feel is proper, would all but eliminate future building in the low areas.Development in flood-prone areas of the county are currently guided under requirements set down by theCivil Defense AsksRescue InformationAre you slowed by advanced age or a handicap. Sarasota County civil defense workers want to know about it promptly.Sebastian D’AUi, Sarasota County Director of Civil Defense said his agency is attempting to compile information on all county residents who would need help in leaving thier homes in time of a hurricane emergency.People needing special care or pick up service during a hurricane evacuation will be listed with the civil defense unit and their addresses given to various rescue units when an evacuation order is made, D’Alii said.Those wishing to be placed on the civil defense special care list should contact the agency at 955-3166 or by writing to: the Civil Defense Unit, Room 125, Basement West Wing. Sarasota County Courthouse, Sarasota, 33577.Persons should include their name and address and the number of people in their home who might need special evacuation, D’Alii said. They should also explain the nature of their condition and whether they need special equipment such as oxygen or life support systems or certain medication, he said.U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dealing mainly with elevation requirements.“There is a conflicting development philosophy i n flood prone areas of the nation. Some feel it’s okay to build in accordance with HUD guides and others like myself feel the homes shouldn’t be there at all, James said.“It’s like building over an earthquake fault — sooner or later your're going to get it,” said the planning director.James said another aspect of flood plain development which aggravates planners is the use of HUD flood insurance. Originally it was designed to help home owners who had previously built in flood plains, but now some are treating it as a subsidy to encourage more flood plain construction.James believes passage of the county flood plainordinance will save many a resident future grief.By far the most dangerous type of flooding threatening Sarasota is from hurricanes. Tidal surge floods affect coastal areas much as flash floods do mountainous areas.“That’s when the bay suddenly comes into the middle of the county, said Rozar, a Florida native and veteran of some of the “big ones.”Civil Defense officials warn that approaching flash floods due to hurricanes should not be taken lightly. When the warning comes to move, don’t stop to ask why,” Sarasota emergency officials said.The best way to protect against floods, civil defense officials said, is to know the elevation of the property on which one’s home is located, know the flood history of the area before building or buying and make advance plans to leave low-lying areas.Mideast(Continued from Page 1A)“There is more warmth in some of these countries for Israel than they show,” said the assistant secretary. Arab nations who are sympathetic to the Israeli-Egypt accord will not openly endorse the actions, he said, because “of political reasons.”Holding key to entire settlement of the Middle East problems and terrorism are the Palestinians.“In absence of settling the Palestinians’ question, the homeless state of the Palestinians, there will never be an end to the terror,” he said.The U.S. is attempting to get the Palestinians settled as a part of another country, “probably Jordan.” He said it is doubtful the United States would recognize a separate Palestinian nation.Carter said the Palestinians should be invited to participate in negotiations.“They are the logical people to be involved. Making deals for other people hardly ever works,” he said.Sen. Jacob Javits (R-NY) said Thursday the Egyptians should be commended for the action they are taking in the peace initiative. A strong supporter of Israel, Javits said the Israelis have been dragging their feet and better get going.Carter said the Javits statement, he believes, is not a
Newspaper Details
Sarasota Journal
Sarasota, Florida, US
Fri, Jun 23, 1978
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Sarasota C.
USA 26 Apr 2025
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