SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Just about everyone is keeping their eyes on the tropics. It was just over a year ago when Tropical Storm Debby flooded out neighborhoods in Sarasota County. Now officials are doing work on storm water basins to help reduce flood risks.

“The whole street was just covered for two to three days because the water couldn’t go anywhere,” said Jon Forbes.

Forbes shared pictures of his flooded neighborhood during Tropical Storm Debby.

“You could just drive up the street and you could see cars that were no longer working. They were damaged from the flood water,” Forbes said.

About a year later, Forbes spoke to 8 On Your Side while at the park he said was also covered in water from the storm.

“From the roundabout here, people were taking boats down the road. We couldn’t get out of our house because Phillippi Creek river, which runs in that direction, was flooded all the way up to our house,” Forbes said.

The Phillippi Creek stormwater basin is getting work done. On Wednesday, Sarasota County officials said crews were removing sediment dams along the 3-mile stretch of the creek.

“This type of work is crucial to ensuring that our drainage systems work efficiently. We’re removing sediment from the flow line of the canal and we’re managing vegetation along its banks,” said Ben Quartermaine, the stormwater director in Sarasota County.

Officials said this process reduces flood risk and protects water quality. It’s the kind of work Forbes said he’s glad to see being done.

“I’m grateful for whatever assistance we have to prevent further tragedy [and] damages in people’s homes,” Forbes said. “I’m very happy to see that they are continuing that effort.”

The stormwater director said the excavation work takes two to three weeks to complete.