Sarasota-area businesses in flood-prone locations are taking precautions ahead of possible heavy rain and localized flooding Saturday, while planning to maintain normal hours as Hurricane Isaias moves through the Gulf.
By Saturday, heavy rain could become more widespread. Sarasota and Manatee counties are within a marginal risk area for excessive rainfall that could cause flash flooding, while parts of the Nature Coast face a higher risk, according to a National Weather Service Tampa Bay briefing issued at 5:58 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9.
Businesses contacted by the Herald-Tribune plan to remain open, but many local events have been canceled due to the weather.
St. Armands Circle businesses prepare for flooding
Sarasota's popular shopping and dining destination St. Armands Circle is one of the city's
most flood-prone areas. Located on the low-lying barrier island of St. Armands Key, the Circle experienced multiple floods in 2024, including after an unnamed storm system in June dumped record rainfall on the city. That was followed by Hurricane Helene and then Hurricane Milton just a couple weeks later.
In an email sent to merchants on Oct. 9, the St. Armands Circle Association said that while localized street flooding was expected, forecast conditions were "nothing that would be a major impact to your business."
Rachel Burns, executive director of the area association, told the Herald-Tribune that there was a bit of street flooding earlier this week because of the heavy rains, but the county responded efficiently to a drain pump that was experiencing an issue. Now, she said, everything is in place so the water can effectively drain from the area.
"We're looking at some localized flooding, no real storm surge or anything like that causing us concern," Burns said. "Some businesses are keeping sandbags handy, everyone is on alert, but nobody is panicking or have a real reason for concern."
Burns added that the association is working closely with the city of Sarasota's emergency operations team and the county's stormwater team.
Businesses on the circle are staying open and maintaining normal hours, and the area's planned Jaguar Festival D’Elegance is still on schedule to take place in the park, Burns confirmed. She said that the association "looks forward to locals coming out to support the local businesses."
Sarasota’s oldest restaurant takes precautions, plans to stay open
Jeff Houck, vice president of marketing at the 1905 Family of Restaurants, which includes Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle, said the restaurant is taking flooding precautions but does not plan to change operations at this stage.
With sandbags placed at the entrances and all drains cleared, Columbia Restaurant management is preparing for heavy rain, Houck said.
"Everyone is trying to be cautiously prepared," Houck said. "Everyone still has memories of the hurricanes coming through two years ago, but there's nothing really overtly threatening at this stage."
Columbia, which opened in 1959 on St. Armands Circle and is Sarasota's oldest full-service restaurant, sustained damage from hurricanesHelene and Milton in 2024, resulting in a nearly month-long closure for repairs.
According to prior reporting from the Herald-Tribune, the hurricanes brought more than three feet of storm-surge flooding into the dining rooms and kitchen. Nearly all of the equipment in Columbia and Cha Cha Coconuts, its next-door sister eatery, had to be replaced with new appliances, along with new drywall, electronics, furniture, and food.
This weekend, the Columbia Restaurant will be open during normal hours, but Houck said management is keeping a close eye on emergency warnings and will "be aware and adjust as needed." The restaurant plans to remain open unless there is a clear danger to guests or employees, he added.
"The bottom line is we're going to take our regular precautions," Houck said. "This time of year is going to have downpours. It's an October weekend in Florida, so we'll see what happens."
Kendal Asbury is the real estate and development reporter for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Have an idea, tip or question about development? Send her an email at kasbury@usatodayco.com. Connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Instagram @wordsbykendal, and support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota businesses prepare for flooding from Hurricane Isaias
