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Combination of heavy rain, high tide caused extreme flooding on Marco on Wednesday
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Flooding on Marco
Heavy rainfall Wednesday forced Marco Island officials to close portions of six roadways, including the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge, due to high water levels.
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It was a rainy afternoon during a rainy week of vacation for Heather Schuett, who was housesitting her uncle’s home on the main thoroughfare of Marco Island, Collier Boulevard. Deep into an Amy Tan book, she took notice of her overflowing pool, but had no idea how deep she was in it until the phone rang.
On the line was Heather’s husband, Randy, returning from a trip down the road to McDonald’s.
Heather, he asked, can I get home?
She went to her door and saw water nearly touching her mailbox and cresting up her driveway.
“I was just sitting here,” said Heather Schuett, 44. “Can you imagine?”
Whiplashed by an estimated six inches of rainfall and high tide, a great flood struck Marco Island Wednesday afternoon with water levels along some roadways in the island’s northern sections reaching at least two feet. The flood temporarily closed the island’s primary access point, the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge, blocked sections of seven roads, left more than 1,200 households without power and gushed about three inches of water into at least three residences.
And it produced this ominous 1:09 p.m. e-mail missive from City Hall: “Unless necessary, residents should remain indoors.”
But Randy Schuett, 43, wasn’t quite there yet when he called his wife. He decided to park the GMC Denali SUV he was driving — the water had reached the floorboards — and wade a half-mile back to their home at 1250 N. Collier Blvd.
In the meantime, Heather was watching the show outside her door. The water had conquered some cars, which were then blocking the road.
“There were little bitty Porsches driving down here thinking they were getting out,” she said.
One island towing company estimated it pulled 35-40 cars out from the flooded roadways.
More serious were the water levels that threatened a low-lying home and two duplexes along 6th Avenue behind St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Don Westcott, of 626 6th Avenue, had to wet vacuum two- to-three inches of water from his apartment. It left a line around his baseboards. Later on, other residents of the street were out in their driveways using buckets and towels to clear water from their cars.
“We had towels in front of the door,” Westcott said. “Every time a truck came by the waves would lift the towels. We just gave up at that point.”
Three major culprits of the flooding were palm fronds, coconuts and plastic bags, according to Mike Daniel, a city construction manager. Daniel and city utility crews, shin deep in water on Collier Boulevard, were pulling off storm drains and clearing debris.
Daniel estimated they picked up 100 coconuts.
“Plastic trash bags are tough, Daniel said. “They’re so small and thin, but they can take us out.”
When the crews finished clearing a drain, the water would whirlpool down it.
Off of Marco, the problem was getting onto Marco. The city closed the Jolley Bridge for a little less than two hours, diverting traffic to the Goodland Bridge.
Justin Hanna, the owner of an island insurance agency, was taking refuge at Erin’s Isle Restaurant and Irish Pub on Collier Boulevard east of the bridge.
“It’s a problem if you can’t get to where your business is,” said Hanna, who’s lived on the island since 1990. “I couldn’t go to work today ... I’ve never seen it this bad, this flooded, without a real event happening.”
By 6 p.m., most of the work to drain the island was complete, with roads re-opened and residents again milling about outdoors.
Heather Schuett, on the island for a month-long vacation before she and her family returned to North Carolina, was hoping next week’s weather would be better than this one.
“We could use a little sunshine,” she said.
Staff writers Kelly Farrell and Sara Gottwalles contributed to this report.
Comments
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I wish you the best, Marco inhabitants.
First drought, now this.
Does anyone know if Lake O. is at or above normal levels yet?
#1 Posted by sheenabella on July 16, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Memo to NDN staff-Photos would make this story much more interesting and compelling. Can anyone in the newsroom drive to Marco?
#2 Posted by swfljim on July 16, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And Naples Airport will only report .51 inches from their "gage".
#3 Posted by razorbuzz on July 16, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
swfljim, go to nbc-2.com they have a photo of a car sitting in water almost over the tires.
#4 Posted by NaplesCracker on July 16, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
razor,
that's how much rain blows under the umbrella and into the rain gauge.
;-)
#5 Posted by Optipess on July 16, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
we have had worse in 03. water was lapping at my garage door. at this point it hasnt come over the sidewalk yet, so it would need to be 1-2 feet deeper to reach my garage. i see a lot of drivers going as fast as possible through it to make big roostertails. real intelligent....
#6 Posted by islandman4now on July 16, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@ sheenabella:
Lake Okeechobee update:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page?_pag...
#7 Posted by Arete411 on July 16, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SWFLJIM
One can assume that since the article states Bridge Closed, Stay Inside pictures weren't exactly a priority.
#8 Posted by floridasteel on July 16, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does this mean the watering restrictions are going to be lifted?
#9 Posted by Gumshoe on July 16, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Arete411:
Hey, thanks much!
#10 Posted by sheenabella on July 16, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#9 Posted by Gumshoe
LOL You would hope so, wouldn't you. Glad I don't live or work on Marco.
Now I remember why, it is an overpriced island prone to flooding.
#11 Posted by Jadip811 on July 16, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do people have to make nasty comments about Marco? It is a beautiful island and is not "prone to flooding." I guess people are just jealous.
#12 Posted by tathiede on July 16, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone know how the mainland areas near Marco are affected? I have family that lives on US41 East off Auto Ranch Road, which is close to Rt.92.
#13 Posted by NoteTaker on July 16, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tathiede-
I agree 100%!!!!!!! Marco Island haters just care for negative news for Marco.
#14 Posted by talktome on July 16, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#12, you are so right! guess they forgot that it hasnt stopped raining since Sun., and Marco got the worst of it, add the high tide in and there ya go.. bunch of Newts!!!!!
#15 Posted by here_since_seventy_one on July 16, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
just thought of something.. how's Isle of Capri doing... guess the geniuses at NDN just drove by that road? maybe they should check that area out if they can get in there!!
#16 Posted by here_since_seventy_one on July 16, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
now that I've seen the pictures, Kharma caught up with that guy driving the Bald Eagle tow truck!! he cut me off the other day going down airport rd. while in tow operation!! good for you, your THE KOAN!!
#17 Posted by here_since_seventy_one on July 16, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So much for the new storm drain system they installed along with the septic, seems to work pretty good, hope your new sewer system fairs better. (here_since_seventy_one) As for Capri no flooding here.
#18 Posted by dwyatt08 on July 16, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great new roads and storm sewers. Failed in the first rain, typical Marco.
Now tax us some more for an electrical company of our own. There goes our lights.
#19 Posted by fortl123 on July 16, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the gauge at the airport needs to be checked. I live on collier bv 34114 about 5 miles from airport but according to weather .com we consistently get more than double the reported rain at the airport
#20 Posted by pequa06 on July 16, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Really, dwyatt08 that's amazing. I used to work on Marco and live on Capri a few years back, it was a nightmare to leave Marco during the rainy season and then I had to park my car a few blocks from home due to the flooding. Glad to see it's okay, I'm sure glad I'm not assigned to Marco anymore, I'd be stuck there right now.
#21 Posted by MIAbrat on July 16, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#19 Posted by fortl123, from what I was told the storm pipes are not even completely hooked up so the water has no where to drain to. Got relatives down there, thank goodess I don't live there.
#22 Posted by DixieGirl on July 16, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isle of Capri is fine. Lots of rain but little flooding.
#23 Posted by rocknfla on July 16, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just, think...if this was a hurricane that dumped at least this much water during high tide with a storm surge! (Why NOT to live on a barrier island.)
Marco isn't so bad for a mostly man made spoil island, but it isn't location envy which causes some people make less than nice comments about the island. Try attitude.
#24 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on July 16, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do people have to make nasty comments about Marco? It is a beautiful island and is not "prone to flooding." I guess people are just jealous.
#12 Posted by tathiede on July 16, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
---------------------------------------
"was" a pretty island up until about the 80s when the concrete jungle sprung up!
#25 Posted by naplestrek on July 16, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This event is a direct correlation from all the 'b.s/CO2 emissions' that are emmited from good old Marco Island.
#26 Posted by sancho on July 16, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder how many of those plastic bags were blue....from The Eagle litter all over the island!
#27 Posted by ed34145 on July 16, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#12 Posted by tathiede
#14 Posted by talktome
Everything happens for a reason , does it not?
Karma and fate can be interesting things....
#24 BTV Hit the nail squarely on the head.
Attitude is a major factor in Marco's decline.
#25 Posted by naplestrek.
Could not agree more. If I chose to live on Marco I would be there living there now. The beaches are washing away, many of the residents are so self important and full of themselves they can't see straight and it is a concrete jungle. Thank you, but no thank you. I will settle for my paradise in the Estates...
Karma can be a wonderful thing...
#28 Posted by Jadip811 on July 16, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...Still think climate change is a hoax?
#29 Posted by leftubehind on July 17, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Marco is full of snobs,,Just ask any auto tech who has to work on their cars !!!
#30 Posted by firehauck on July 17, 2008 at 5:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So when do they open the gates and drain off the tons of water in the ditches in the Estates? The ditches are almost over flowing in the front of my house! Another rain and we will be flooded here too!
When do they fix the water flow problems so the rain water is held in storage instead of flooding our homes?
Are there any people "with brains" in our local water control that can manage the water flow problems? Or do we now get the sand bags out again... while everyone in water control sits around picking their nose like the last time around?
Water flow in Collier is a joke. I don't need to be a rocket scientist to see FULL water ditches/canals on our streets... or to predict what happens after the next rain!
#31 Posted by tootsie on July 17, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Grown adults shouldn't be making trips to McDonalds. Get a clue.
#32 Posted by babbas on July 17, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I worked on Marco for 4 years and most of the residents really do have attitudes of being better than everyone else. I have lived in Naples since 73 and remember when Marco was a pretty place to visit. Now it is way over built and they wonder why there are flooding issues. You couldn't pay me enough to live on that island.
#33 Posted by tazzydevil on July 17, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Big O is just about at normal level. It's the rainy season in Fla. Praying most of the rain hits the Big O.
#34 Posted by Blkndn305 on July 17, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why are you talking about weather changes and global warming?????
You don't have to be very smart to see that many areas of what you call Marco Island used to be under water. It's common sense. Once in a while the water will comeback to claim its space.
#35 Posted by ricky369 on July 17, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is not about hating Marco or its residents. It's just a fact. There are areas in Marco the are dry land. Others used to be swamp. Like many other areas of Florida. And it is over build!!
Just get over it. The water will be there once in a while
#36 Posted by ricky369 on July 17, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
#29 ...still think climate change is a hoax?
Darn right I do! This is Florida, in the summer, IT RAINS!! Who would of thought it could possibly flood? Duh! We'll be alright. We'll adapt. We will survive.
Climate change (global warming) is for sissy's!
#37 Posted by Roscoe on July 17, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DUH--------Old houses that were built on the cheap. Who would want that big pile of dirt? It costs too much!!!!!!!!!! They get the water. Same with olde naples. Convert a garage built on the ground so you can drive a car in. Of course there is going to be water. Why did they take so long to clear the drains???????????????? The old timers in Naples built their wooden cottages on pilasters. Water ran UNDER them. And they didn't lose their roofs in hurricanes either. Wonder why?
#38 Posted by jean on July 17, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Big O is still 2 feet below normal historic levels.
#39 Posted by indigodragonfly on July 17, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We do know that this elixir of life will too quickly be gone and dry season will be here again. Water management should have huge retention facilities. We know they are inadequate and have been saying so for 30 years.
While we're rich in fresh water is when we should be saving it. Developers, especially golf course developers, should be required to build on-site retention tanks.
#40 Posted by Rosalind on July 17, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am on the edge of the true City of Naples, in an area rated as "flood zone" but it has not flooded in the years I've been here. Any suggestions on how to prevent (or reduce) flood damage if a severe situation happens? My house is inland. It's CBS on a slab foundation. I have not been through a hurricane so I don't know what water levels a hurricane could bring...
Yes I have flood insurance, but I'm wondering about typical flood occurances in the area.
#41 Posted by naplesnewby on July 18, 2008 at 2:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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