Restoring Charlotte County beaches post-Helene and Milton will indeed cost millions. The impacts of these recent hurricanes were devastating, and the full extent of the damage is becoming clearer by the day. On Manasota Key, where the surf surged to nearly six feet during Hurricane Milton, the aftermath is a stark reminder of nature’s power. Residents and officials alike are grappling with the remnants—roads buried beneath mounds of sand, towering higher than the rooftops of nearby homes.
“The damage on Manasota Key is extensive,” notes Michael Poff, a representative from Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc., whose eyes reflect both concern and determination. The panorama of sand and devastation tells a story. It is a story of resilience yet also one of significant loss.
The removal, they say, is just the start. John Elias, the Public Works Director for Charlotte County, articulates the relentless work undertaken by his team. “We have had to remove a tremendous amount of sand. Every day, we are moving sand, sifting it, and now, we are gradually putting it back on the beach.” But the gravity of the situation burbles beneath the surface—between Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, the county has lost approximately 250,000 yards of sand, leaving a challenging road ahead.
As Charlotte County faces an estimated $34 million restoration bill, officials are looking to dredge offshore and pump in sand to rebuild the protective dune systems. This urgent necessity feels all the more pressing when considering the local businesses that depend on these precious beaches. Restaurants, hotels, and shops like the popular Leverock’s Restaurant, which draws both tourists and locals, have much to gain by restoring the shoreline.
The urgency here is palpable. If the county can secure funding, potentially requiring a special session in Tallahassee akin to post-Ian efforts, it would allow them to proceed with these beach reclamation projects. Timing is everything as turtles prepare to nest, and the Atlantic could roar back into chaos during the next hurricane season. Application for extensions to work through nesting season could offer a fleeting window of opportunity. Every moment counts.
Among the various projects slated for attention is the Little Milton Pass, which now boasts a newly formed depth of ten feet, a change initiated by Milton’s storm surge. This fiscal undertaking has already garnered support from Florida’s state government, which has agreed to foot the bill of nearly $1 million to close the pass. However, concerns linger. As Michael Poff notes, the changes in hydrological dynamics could lead to negative consequences for navigation and beach erosion. In essence, if the delicate interplay of waters shifts, locals and visitors alike may witness more drastic changes to their beachscape.
The hope remains that bids for these critical projects will be finalized by February, with the goal of completion by summer’s onset in July. Life in the area depends heavily on the success of these restorations, intertwining the community’s future with the sands and waters of their beloved beaches.
