Manatee County allocates additional $7.5 million to drainage, ditch clearing

Crews clearing debris out of Manatee County canals

Kimberly Kuizon reports.

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. - There’s an effort underway in Manatee County to clear 204 miles of stormwater canals and creeks of debris before another hurricane could impact the area.

Around $9.5 million has been allocated in total for the project, and crews are focusing on areas that were impacted by flooding last year.

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Big picture view:

Standing at the edge of the Braden River, it’s hard to see through the downed trees and overgrown brush that water even flows through the area. Neighbors said it’s been like this for years, and Manatee County officials said clearing it out is a priority.

"This is really the first step and a major step to allowing those smaller blockages to not have as big of an effect," said Jeff Bare, the property manager and contract manager for Manatee County.

Why you should care:

County crews and contractors are working to remove the blockages, which Bare said is mostly trees, branches and vegetation. The work continues in hopes of preventing the kind of flooding that was seen during Tropical Storm Debby.

READ: Manatee County seeks input on newly drafted plan on how to spend $252M in hurricane relief funds

"This will definitely help," said Bare. "They have removed literally tons of debris from the river out here. The ponds in their neighborhood all flow into that river. If the river had the blockages there, it would prevent or slow down the water leaving their ponds. Thus creating more of a hazard of potential of flooding again with substantial rainfall."

Local perspective:

For those who had to deal with inches to feet of water inside their Lakewood Ranch homes, the work brings a sense of relief.

"It should help, because I wouldn’t want any of my neighbors, any of us wouldn’t want to go through that again," said Mary Ann Millea, who is a Summerfield Glades resident.

Millea’s home in Summerfield Glades was one that had inches of flood water inside.

MORE: Hurricane Season 2025: Lessons learned in Manatee County after devastating storms last year

"I’m getting nervous, I can’t lie. My husband and I are just hoping and praying it won’t happen again," she said.

Jill Sauchinitz had 17 inches of water inside her Lakewood Ranch home.

"My neighbors and I are grateful the county is finally taking action. It’s great to see the river being cleaned, obstructions are gone, water is flowing as it should," she said.

Sauchinitz hopes continued maintenance of the Braden River and other Manatee County waterways will be ongoing, reducing the risk of another Debby from happening.

"It’s not just about the river. It also safeguards our homes, our roads, our infrastructure. When the river is neglected and not cleaned and maintained it puts all those things at risk," said Sauchinitz.

The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon.

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