MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A year has passed since Hurricane Debby wreaked havoc, leaving residents across the Tampa Bay Area in the arduous process of rebuilding their homes and lives.
Tina Borling has closely observed the evolution of her neighborhood in Manatee County.
Watch full report from Mary O’Connell
Manatee County residents bouncing back one year after flooding from Hurricane Debby
“When we first moved here, we loved everything about it,” Borling reflects. “The spacious property and the tranquil presence of neighboring cows were perfect.”
WFTS
Having resided in her home off Jim Davis Road in Parrish for 22 years, Borling has experienced the profound impact of Hurricane Debby firsthand.
“The water came in fast. We went from no water in the driveway to having 18 inches inside our home in just a few hours,” she recalls.
Tina Borling
ABC Action News reported on her street in the wake of the flooding last year.
One year later, the community is in recovery mode.
Tina Borling
“It’s emotional. Some neighbors who have lived here for years are moving away because of the storm. One in particular is a close friend, and it’s really heartbreaking,” she shares.
County officials have acknowledged last year’s hurricanes as a stark reminder of the severe impact storms can have on communities. They have implemented several measures to enhance emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience.
Improvements include deploying additional stream gauges and flood monitoring sensors across the county to allow real-time tracking of water levels and quicker response times to flooding risks.
In addition, over 204 miles of stormwater canals and creeks are being cleared to mitigate future flooding risks.
“It was a tough ordeal, and recovery is ongoing,” Borling admits. Yet, she and her neighbors remain determined and prepared for the upcoming storm season. “God has a plan for us, and I believe we’ll manage just fine this year,” she adds.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) has proposed the idea of abolishing HOAs statewide. This follows growing concerns among Floridians regarding escalating fees and ongoing disputes.
Lawmaker looks to ban HOAs
Key Information
- Event: Hurricane Debby’s impact on Manatee County.
- Key Figure: Tina Borling, a resident for 22 years.
- Flooding Details: Water levels rose drastically, reaching 18 inches in homes within hours.
- Recovery Efforts: 204 miles of stormwater systems are being cleared and new monitoring tools implemented.
- Legislative Context: Discussions about abolishing HOAs due to rising issues among residents.
Article original publish date: 2025-08-05 20:04:00
Article source: www.tampabay28.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.tampabay28.com
