Overnight storm causes severe beach erosion in Volusia County, turtle nesting season hampers work

WILBUR-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — Volusia County beaches suffered severe erosion overnight as a nor’easter slammed Florida’s east coast.

Protection barriers put in place to prevent more damage to exposed structures didn’t hold up.

County leaders have been going back and forth with state officials over permit issues.

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One of the issues causing the problem is that turtle nesting season starts on May 1.

Homes along many stretches of beach lost their seawalls and with no protection from last night’s storm, residents told Channel 9 that water was right at their back door.

Barriers put in place to protect structures that lost seawalls during last year’s hurricanes were no match for the storm that hit the beaches overnight.

Coastal director Jessica Fentress said those barriers were never meant to be permanent.

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“We had no intention that this would hold through a nor’easter, we had no intention that this would hold through a hurricane,” Fentress said. “Anyone who is getting trap bags, this is not your permanent solution. You need to get a permanent solution in place.”

Linda Abbott said she has been fighting for permits to save her home since the fall and said she is furious.

“I don’t think it should take four months to rebuild something that’s been here for 60 years,” Abbott said.

Fentress offered a solution for those dealing with similar situations.

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“What I would urge you to do is contact your engineer, or your construction contractor, whoever submitted your application to dep on your behalf. Have that person call dep and talk about the status of the permit application,” Fentress said.

She says the coast is in a critical state, which is something that has never happened here before now.

“We had about a four feet accumulation of sand in the shores, and it’s gone. So, it just brings a spotlight on our beach and encourages us that we might be able to get a plan in place for the next 50 years,” Fentress added.

Meanwhile, when it comes to what can be done right now, Fentress said the county is willing to allow work during turtle nesting season, but it must get approval through the state.

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