ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – During its Tuesday afternoon meeting, St. Johns County commissioners spoke about a significant breach of the ocean during a nor’easter that worsened erosion in the Summer Haven area.
“The ocean is taking the land back,” said one commissioner during the meeting.
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Another commissioner called Summer Haven the “most volatile stretch of beach” in Florida and suggested that it’s time to consider buying out homeowners there.
County officials estimate erosion from the nor’easter in the Summer Haven area will cost more than $1 million to repair, and they said they need to get with state and federal agencies to come up with a strategy of “managed retreat” from Summer Haven.
The county commission issued a coastal storm event proclamation so homeowners could apply for state permits to repair their damaged sea walls.
Applications need to be submitted within 30 days from the initial coastal event. Properties built after March 17, 1985, are not eligible. A complete list of eligibility requirements is available here.
Two homes in South Ponte Vedra have failing sea walls to the point the homes are in danger of collapse. The commissioners approved $120,000 for repairs to the South Ponte Vedra Beach Pavilion.
“The nor’easter made the walkover and the pavilion in South Ponte Vedra Beach unusable for public access,” said Ryan Kane, director of St. Johns County Parks and Recreation. “The funding approved today will help us restore this public amenity for all to enjoy.”
Crews had been working on building back the dunes for quite some time, but much of that progress was washed away during the nor’easter two weekends ago.