Ian’s aftermath: Official report on deaths and damages across Tampa Bay and southwest Florida
Flooding in Florida continues to leave communities underwater in the wake of Hurricane Ian, and flooding could last months, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Tampa city officials said it could take up to 60 days before they can clear every pile of debris that Hurricane Ian left behind.
The NWS Tampa Bay released the latest numbers on damages caused by Hurricane Ian.
The breakdown is as follows:
- LEE COUNTY: 52 fatalities 52,514 structures damaged, 5,369 destroyed. Preliminary cost $6.8 billion. Max wind gust at the Cape Coral Yacht Club 140 mph.
- CHARLOTTE COUNTY: 5 fatalities. Maximum storm rainfall 26.95″ at Grove City. 200 homes destroyed but that number will go up as the assessment isn’t close to being finished.
- SARASOTA COUNTY: 7 fatalities. Maximum wind gust 109 mph at Tarpon Point. Maximum rainfall 21.45″ at North
- MANATEE COUNTY: 3 fatalities. 10 homes and businesses destroyed. 2,727 structures damaged. Estimated damage $1.1 billion. Highest wind at Verna 85 mph. Highest rainfall 15.03″ Myakka Head.
- HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY: 2 fatalities. Maximum wind gust 88 mph in Tampa Bay. 75 mph at Tampa Intl Airport.
- POLK COUNTY: 2 fatalities. 1,500 structures damaged, 192 with major damage. Maximum rainfall 12″ in Frostproof. Highest wind gust 75 mph Polk City.
- DESOTO COUNTY: 1 fatality. Heaviest rain 20.13″ Zolfo Springs.
- HARDEE COUNTY: 9 fatalities. Maximum wind gust 81 mph in Wauchula.
When it Comes to Plumbing, Cass Plumbing is Here to Help!
Recovery after a hurricane is a long and arduous process. Cass Plumbing is committed to helping homeowners repair and rebuild their homes and communities in the months ahead.
If your home is impacted by flooding, there may be hidden plumbing issues that you won’t find until a professional, licensed plumber, like Cass Plumbing, conducts a thorough inspection of your Tampa property. Here are a few of the most common post-flood plumbing problems:
Clogged Drains
Floodwater invariably contains some amount of dirt and silt, and when the waters recede, that residue is left behind. Any drains in your home that were covered by floodwater could be clogged with these particles. In many cases, the usual DIY tools — a plunger or a plumbing snake — can clear these clogs. But if you’re worried about damage down the pipe and are planning on a professional plumbing inspection anyway, you may want to leave these drains as-is until your plumber gives you the all-clear.
It’s possible that hydro jetting service from Cass Plumbing might be able to flush out all the debris from your plumbing lines and get your plumbing running smoothly again.
7 Reasons Why Hydro Jetting Can Be Beneficial
Dirty and Damaged Fixtures
Any plumbing fixtures that suffered physical damage due to wind, structural failure or floating or flying debris will likely need to be replaced. But those that are undamaged will still need some TLC in the form of a thorough cleaning with diluted bleach. When it comes to faucets and shower heads, you may need to disassemble them and soak the individual parts in bleach to prevent mold growth.
Broken Pipes in the Home
The risks of flying debris from a hurricane and floating debris from a flood present a double whammy to your home’s pipes. If a pipe is cracked or broken, you may not even be able to identify the problem until after the floodwater recedes and is completely removed from the home. If you notice new puddles after the floodwater is gone, shut the water off at the main valve while you wait for your plumbing inspection.
Broken Pipes Underground
All that standing water and the saturated soil beneath creates a crushing weight. Unfortunately, buried water and waste lines may fail under this load. If you see sinkholes on your property after the water recedes, that’s a possible sign one or more of these lines has collapsed under your lawn. A plumber may need to conduct a camera inspection to confirm.
Foundation Damage
Pipes can break if they’re moved around by a home’s shifting foundation. Foundation damage can occur during a flood if there’s movement in the saturated soil beneath the foundation. This unsteady ground may make the foundation crack, and plumbing pipes are just one type of building material that could be damaged as a result. In these cases, foundation repair must usually be completed before certain pipes can be replaced.
