Lawmakers: Storm next year could be big threat to beaches

St. Johns County continues to rebuild months after Hurricane Matthew

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – More than two months after Hurricane Matthew, beach communities in St. Johns County are still dealing with major problems as they rebuild.

Sen. Bill Nelson, Rep. Ron DeSantis, incoming Rep. John Rutherford and St. Johns County leaders gathered Friday afternoon in St. Augustine for an update on the recovery process.

They learned the concerns are still serious, and that any major storm in the area next hurricane season could be a big threat to the beaches, to homes and to Highway A1A, which is the only evacuation route out of the area.

VIDEO: Legislators hear plea for St. Johns County hurricane assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has completed its assessments of the damage to homes and businesses and is in the process of determining what repairs it will be funding.

FEMA said it will restore the beaches to how they were before, but county staff said Friday that steps need to be taken to make the area safer and expand the beach, particularly Vilano and South Ponte Vedra beaches. That could cost millions, and the county will have to pick up most of that tab.

It's one of the first projects Rutherford will have to address in Congress

“We are already focusing on it, working with the state and the federal government, and I don't believe the state is going to be able to do what's going to be done,” Rutherford said. “Some real decisions have to be made on coastline protection and those sorts of things.”

According to FEMA, more than 41,000 families have registered to receive federal recovery help.

At last check, more than $16.4 million has been approved for victims of Matthew.

Families in the Davis Shores neighborhood said they are still looking for help and have not been able to return to their homes.

"It's been rough," Ted Beal said. "It's disrupted all of our lifestyles."

But Beal said he's moving forward and hopes to be back in his home within a week.

"They are going pretty good," he said. "Slow, but sure."

Beal is one of the lucky ones.

Along the street in Davis Shores, pods are holding what's left of families' belongings and RVs line the streets because neighbors can't live in their homes. Storm debris has been replaced by construction debris in the neighborhood.

Most of the homes have at least some water damage, and some residents said it's taking way too long to get help.

"It's been frustrating waiting on insurance, waiting on a contractor," said Jenny, who declined to give her last name. "You don't know what is going on."

Jenny said she wishes she could ask Nelson and the other leaders why it's taken so long for insurance claims to be paid.

"We're not sure what we're going to get," she said.

St. Johns County has created a dedicated website to assist homeowners and business owners as they rebuild after Hurricane Matthew.

The website, www.sjcfl.us/hurricanematthewrebuild, is a centralized source of building-related and permitting information, contractor hiring tips and coastal reconstruction updates.

In addition, the site contains links to local, state and federal resources, contacts, and answers to frequently asked questions.

For building services or permitting questions or concerns, please contact St. Johns County at 904-827-6800.


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.