VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of people were displaced after hurricanes Ian and Nicole flooded neighborhoods, damaged seawalls and compromised buildings.

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The storms also did more than $500 million in damage to Volusia County.

Channel 9′s Mike Springer talked to Congressman Mike Waltz, who called the storms a one-punch for the coastline, and the federal government may need to help with some of those more long-term and permanent repairs.

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“Florida loves its beaches, loves its coastline,” Waltz said. “Our tax base is there, our tourism attractions are there, so I want everyone to know this is a top priority for me and my office.”

He said short-term relief could involve the state and local government doing things such as waiving permits for sea walls, to a more long-term approach with the federal government possibly dredging sand offshore from federal waters to replenish the beaches and bringing in coquina rocks to fortify it.

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See the full story in the video above.

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VIDEO: Tiger Dam being put in place in Volusia County as hurricane season comes to a close Tiger Dam being put in place in Volusia County as hurricane season comes to a close

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