ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – While funding and plans are in place to finally renourish Vilano Beach up to South Ponte Vedra Beach, those plans don’t include beaches in the South Vilano Beach community of Porpoise Point.
Residents who live along the shoreline in Porpoise Point said they're not only upset about being left out, but also worried their properties could be in danger during future storms.
They voiced those concerns and asked for help at Tuesday's meeting of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.
Since Porpoise Point didn't meet the criteria for a federal renourishment project, residents requested emergency help from the county to replace sand that is no longer behind their beachfront homes.
"We need to have some sand replenishment to provide protection for our homes," Porpoise Point homeowner Jeffrey Schubart told commissioners.
According to the homeowners, beach erosion resulting from two hurricanes and countless nor'easters has left bulkheads exposed and washed away sand dunes.
IMAGES: Porpoise Point beach erosion
Vilano Beach was approved for the federal beach renourishment program, but the southern tip community of Porpoise Point was not approved because, near the beginning of the year when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was studying the erosion problems, the shoreline of Porpoise Point was considered to be in better shape than other areas.
But in the last four months, conditions have deteriorated, putting shoreline homes without adequate barriers at risk.
There's only a beach during low tide. Come high tide, water is just feet from beachfront homes.
While the living areas of these properties are on the second floor, there is still little protection for homes that are not on the beach.
“Unfortunately for our entire neighborhood of Porpoise Point, we are now the sand dunes. The beachfront homes are the sand dunes," Schubart said. "We’re the only protection that the homeowners on the interior of Porpoise Point have.”
The lack of sand has also led to inland flooding in Porpoise Point, residents said.
“Our bulkhead will be fine because it’s going to push the water around," Porpoise Point homeowner Lisa Myers said. "But it’s going to make its way into the street and we’ll have that situation again."
County Commissioner Henry Dean said the county has asked the Army Corps to conduct a study to see how much it would cost to fix the problem. But the study won't be complete for another year.
Commissioners acknowledged Porpoise Point homeowners would be in trouble should a hurricane hit the area this season.
"Hopefully we won't have one," Dean said. "But if we do, that area is going to be exposed."
The lack of adequate sand has also made it difficult for emergency vehicles to respond to the area, as there's not enough sand to drive on during high tide.