‘I lost everything’: Sarasota residents navigate next steps amid rising floodwaters

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — It was an absolutely devastating scene in Sarasota Tuesday, as people are being taken back to their homes by boat to see just how bad the damage is.

Matt Jonas walked through his home with floodwaters to his knees.

He said that after living in this house for the last four years, through Hurricane Ian and other catastrophic storms, he had never expected a tropical storm to leave this much damage.

“We don’t have flood insurance,” he said. “We weren’t required to have flood insurance.”

“So this is families out of their house,” he said. “Gone, everything is gone.”

“We’re talking water up to here,” Jonas said while pointing at his knee. “Gone, everything’s gone.”

One by one, Dalton Culleny and Cody Shea lent a helping hand, taking people back into their homes to save what they could.

“With small boats like this, I can maneuver into their garages, get their belongings, get their medications,” Culleny said.

They took a News Channel 8 crew for a ride on their boat to get a firsthand look at the devastation.

What used to be drivable roads in the Laurel Meadows neighborhood in Sarasota were underwater, cars were almost completely submerged and dozens of homes were left uninhabitable.

“I live about 10 minutes up the road,” Shea said.

“Nope,” Shea said when asked by News Channel 8’s Nicole Rogers if he’s ever seen it this bad. “Not at all.”

It’s a devastating story that’s become a reality for so many families, as people like Joe Scotti accessed their homes by boat only to find out almost everything they own is ruined.

“I lost everything, and I’m homeless,” Scotti said. “Now, I’m in big trouble.”

“I don’t have any vehicles to work,” he said. “I got no place to stay.”

Sarasota residents who need help cleaning up from Hurricane Debby are asked to call 844-965-1386.

The line will connect you with volunteers who may be able to assist with mucking out, trees, tarps and debris.

All of the services are free, but at a first come, first serve basis.

The hotline will remain open through Aug. 23.

Sarasota County is also trying to assess the damage to homes and businesses.

Officials are asking residents to complete this survey.