Manatee County Officials Address Dam Concerns

In response to recent flooding concerns in Manatee County, officials provided clarity on the operations of the Lake Manatee Dam, which is reported to be functioning as designed during Tropical Storm Debby. Utilities Director Patrick Shea emphasized the dam's 24/7 monitoring and regular assessments to ensure its integrity. Residents expressed frustration over insufficient communication regarding alerts leading up to the flooding, particularly in areas like Summerfield, and officials acknowledged the need for improvement in their communication strategies. Deputy County Administrator Evan Pilachowski stated that water levels were lowered before Debby to safeguard drinking water, but residents remain concerned about upstream water flow causing unexpected flooding. The county is now focused on enhancing communication with residents to address their concerns more effectively. Leaders plan to continue engaging with the public to improve drainage and manage stormwater more efficiently.