SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Parts of Florida experienced heavy rain and some flooding on Tuesday, with more rain expected today.
Sarasota saw as much as 10 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
Footage shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, shows how the heavy flooding in St. Armand's Key affected first responders. The video above shows a fire truck driving through the flood waters, which rise up to cover about half of the fire engine's tires.
The Sarasota Police Department said all major roadways are open, but a handful of side streets were still closed as of early Wednesday morning. Police are working to clear abandoned and disabled vehicles from roadways near N Blvd of the Presidents and N Washington Dr.
Video sent in by Skyler Schultz-Poore shows good Samaritans helping people get out of the flood zones off South Osprey Avenue.
Several cars are seen nearly halfway submerged in the flooded streets, as residents help the people stranded.
"Over the course of five hours-ish is when he started getting up to about a foot and a half or two. And that’s when I started seeing cars getting stuck,” a Sarasota resident said.
Another car stalled out on Bee Ridge Road near the intersection with South Tamiami Trail, as shown in the video above. Several inches of water pooled on the roadway. It was high enough to cover the sidewalk.
News Channel 8 viewer Blake Schuwerk submitted a video showing their car flooded and a tree on the brink of falling on Beach Road in Siesta Key.
According to the National Weather Service, flooding is expected for Manatee and Sarasota counties through Thursday evening. Officials warn that those areas can expect an additional 6-10" of rainfall for the remainder of the week, advising residents not to walk or drive in flooded waters.