Cape San Blas, a picturesque stretch of coastline in Gulf County, Florida, is grappling with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bertha. The storm, which has been battering the area for days, has left a trail of destruction, raising concerns about erosion and the delayed breakwater project.
The relentless winds and rough surf have taken a toll on the beach, with residents and visitors alike navigating the impacts. The situation has been particularly challenging for those who have witnessed the transformation of the coastline over the years.
Residents Express Frustration Over Delayed Breakwater Project
Kelly Mills, owner of Going Coastal Realty & Vacation Rental, has been a resident of Cape San Blas since 2004. She described the current situation as the worst she has ever seen, highlighting the ongoing loss of the beach due to erosion. ‘I have been here since 2004. And I would say this is the worst I’ve ever seen. We’ve had hurricanes come through, and we’ve had it, but we’ve just been losing our beach and losing our beach and losing our beach and not getting dredging and not getting funding to try to help with the sand back,’ Mills said.
Michelle Massingill, a resident and employee at Going Coastal Realty & Vacation Rental, echoed Mills’ sentiments. She expressed frustration over the delays in the breakwater project, which has been in the works for some time. ‘It’s frustrating because we’ve been trying to get this breakwater project going for so long and to see it just continue to see delays. And then we see this happening. And I don’t know if it’s because the breakwaters aren’t in yet or if they were going to help or not. It’s just, it’s disheartening,’ Massingill said.
The Unpreparedness of the Community
Despite their experience with hurricanes, Mills and Massingill admitted that they were not prepared for the lingering impacts of Tropical Storm Bertha. ‘Like this tropical depression, it’s been hammering on us now for three days. You know, it’s just that it’s way more damage than really just a fast-moving hurricane,’ Mills explained.
Massingill added, ‘We didn’t expect to get this much wave action and for this storm to be so strong. So I don’t think we were prepared for what we walked out to.’ The storm’s prolonged duration and intensity have exacerbated the damage, catching many off guard.
The Impact on Vacation Rentals and Local Businesses
The storm has also brought a wave of problems for the vacation rental management business. Contractors were seen filling the foundations of homes with rock to mitigate the damage. News13 spoke with a family on vacation from Georgia who had to find alternative accommodation after experiencing power outages and their vacation home swaying.
The damage extends beyond residential areas. The beach near the Seagrass neighborhood has been dubbed the ‘graveyard of boardwalks’ by some residents. Pieces of stairs and what used to be boardwalks stretch for at least a mile along the coastline. Debris, including washed-away sea-turtle nests, beach chairs, and trash, can be seen amidst the wreckage. Although some sea turtle eggs may have survived, the
As the outer bands of the storm let up on Wednesday evening, conditions began to improve. The sun emerged, and things slowly calmed down. However, the damage left behind serves as a stark reminder of the storm’s power and the need for better preparedness and infrastructure to protect the coastline.
