Weekend Reflections: Beaches are open!

So happy the beaches are finally open!

These two pictures of Madeira Beach were taken on a nice summer day in July when we took a walk on the beach to see the turtle nests.
A walk on Madeira Beach in July
to see the turtle nest
This next picture was taken a few days after Hurricane Helene passed through. Not only were homes flooded, the storm surge had pushed an incredible amount of sand onto homes, hotel parking lots and over to the streets! For weeks, the county worked on shoveling, cleaning and sifting those sand before  moving them back to the beach.
All that sand sat in the beach parking lot at Madeira Beach
Last week, I was in the St Pete area, and drove along Gulf Blvd, from the southern end at Pass-A-Grille Beach to the northern end at Belleair. I was saddened to see the widespread devastation and the erosion of the area's pride and joy - the beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.
map of the Pinellas County beaches
Stuff from flooded homes lined the street at Passe-A-Grille
Three weeks after the duo hurricanes, I was walking the neighborhood in Belleair and was shocked to see several boats sunken or grounded on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) at the Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp. Guess what is the boat name? 
Did the captain try to run here from Hurricane Milton?
And the boat name is ... drum roll ,,,  Ain't Right. No kidding!
A couple days ago, we took a walk on Indian Rocks beach. This is one of our favorite beaches; it's closest to us and there are lots of parking spaces. Look what the hurricanes have done to it.
Part of the boardwalk to beach was blown apart
Rebuilding continues
Shorebirds are happy
Indian Rocks Beach in July.

Many beaches are opened except for Sunset Beach (Treasure Island),  Madeira Beach, and many county beaches and state parks. Click here to find out the current conditions of the gulf beaches.

The sun is shining. The beaches are being re-nourished and beautified. Businesses are re-opening. Y'all come visit!




Comments

  1. You're in the perfect area to see all the great Gulf Beaches. When I first moved to the west coast of Florida (from south Florida), I drove all the way down seeing all the beaches. I lived in Pasco County for 13 years and now live in Lakeland (Polk Counry). There has been flooding with the storms, but not the kind of destruction found on the coast. Saying prayers for everyone affected.

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  2. Destruction is fast, recovery is slow. Great photos. Thanks for the update.

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  3. We vacationed in Indian Rocks beach several years ago; it is such a beautiful area. So sad to see the damage from the latest storms but I am always amazed at how fast it seems like recovery happens. People are so resilient.

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  4. That is really irony with the boat. Good that some have re-opened that beach. It must be so sad to see all the destruction for real.

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  5. Greetings from Naples! So much havoc. I don't think Lover's Key, my favorite beach is open yet. I'll have to check.

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