Sarasota County homeowners flooded during Tropical Storm Debby in 2024 have a new chance to pursue their negligence claims in court.

12th Judicial Circuit Judge Dana Moss on Sept. 4 granted a motion from Laurel Meadows subdivision residents to reconsider her Aug. 12 ruling in their lawsuit against the county, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported. That earlier ruling had largely favored the county.

The reconsideration order keeps the case alive for Laurel Meadows residents who have sued the county. More than 80 neighbors in the subdivision were affected by the flooding, and many did not carry flood insurance when Debby struck.

Neglected berm blamed for flooding

The neighborhood flooded after a breach in a berm that the county had not maintained funneled water into the community, according to a Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident investigation. That same investigation found the county had downplayed its flood risk and ignored signs that its stormwater infrastructure could not handle a major storm.

At Celery Fields, the county's primary flood-control facility, a critical gate was left open during Debby. That worsened flooding for hundreds of nearby homes.

Resident describes costly storm damage

Alex Krumm, a Laurel Meadows resident and plaintiff, has spent more than $150,000 renovating his home since the storm. "It's offensive. The truth is they flood us. It's ethically, morally and probably legally wrong," Krumm told Suncoast Searchlight on Sept. 3, describing the county's broader response to the flooding.

The homeowners have since filed a 230-page amended complaint in the case.

County approves millions for repairs

The lawsuit comes as the Sarasota County Commission approved $32 million in stormwater projects on Aug. 25 to help prevent future floods at Bahia Vista, St. Armands and Celery Fields. The county has received $210.5 million from the federal government for damage caused by the 2024 hurricane season, which included Debby, Helene and Milton.

County has yet to respond to ruling

Sarasota County's response to the reconsideration ruling does not appear in published reports as of Sept. 17. The specific claims Judge Moss agreed to reconsider, and the arguments the homeowners raised in their motion, were also not available from published reports. No next hearing date for the case has been announced.