Thanks to all the locals that can reoprt about property and conditions of the area after the storm clears.
If you are out of the area, post your requests here. Separate threads may be merged into this one.
VERY little info will be forthcoming until Monday.
Replies
769Sailin'Sailin'Beach CrabAtlanta, GA / Bradenton, FL3 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Crab
Reality Check.
Folks,
We've been walking and driving the area for the past day and a half. We have scores of photos, but do not have the time to post them all here at the moment (PLEASE do not post asking if I have a photo of this or that house...!)
Let us provide a dose or reality for the vacationers who are headed our way.
We just took a hit from a Category 3 Hurricane. At this moment there is another storm (Emily) headed towards the Caribbean and who knows where after. The damage is devastating. Mosty of the homes built under the post Andrew code requirements fared well. But there are other issues that are going to take time to sort out.
If you are planning on visiting our lovely area in the next few weeks, then you need to realisitically understand that the beaches are NOT going to be refurbished, the walkovers will NOT all be replaced, and all the debris will NOT be picked up by the time you arrive on Saturday.
What existed along 30A last Saturday changed radically by Monday.
Yes, tourism is the lifeblood of our economy here. Yes, we know how you have planned and dreamed about your vacation in our area. Yes, we realize that your kids expect to be able to play in our wonderful sand beaches...
But no one has a magic wand that can make it like it was overnight.
You need to manage your expectations. Scroll back through this discussion thread and look at the pictures posted here. They represent the length and breadth of what happened along 30-A. Most of the beach is gone. Debris is piled everwhere. Most of the walkovers are gone - and if they could replace them overnight, there is still the beach erosion situation.
The local agencies will work as fast as humanly possible to get things fixed - but it ain't gonna happen by the time you are scheduled to arrive this Saturday, or next Saturday or the Saturday after that.
We own rental property on Captiva which was slammed by Charley last year. Many rental properties in that area are still not repaired or available this summer season - and it has been 10 months since the hurricane.
Our properties here fared better - but we have damage. We will lose rental income and there are families that are very disappointed that they have to change plans at the last minute. We empathize with them. But there is nothing that we can do.
We hope that your rental property here is available for you when you were planning to come - but be realistic in your expectations of what you'll find regarding the beaches, walkovers, storm debris etc. when you get here. There are only so many people and so many resources available to fix things and it takes time. There is NOT a giant mountain of white sand hidden somewhere that can be placed on the beach tonight.
What you will find is folks who have a positive attitude and will make your stay as amenable as possible. Many of the people who will take your order in our restaurants, bag your groceries in our supermarkets or mix your drinks at our bars have suffered damage and/or loss of their personal homes. You may be slightly inconvenienced for a week. These folks will smile and help you all day and then go home to deal with their problems at night, and they'll still be doing so weeks from now, long after you've returned home.
So come visit us. Bring the kids. Let them see how powerful mother nature can be but also let them see how a community comes together and helps its people through a tough time. :welcome:
Sometimes a little adversity makes for an interesting experience.
Mike & Stephanie
Bradenton, FL / Atlanta, GA
Folks,
We've been walking and driving the area for the past day and a half. We have scores of photos, but do not have the time to post them all here at the moment (PLEASE do not post asking if I have a photo of this or that house...!)
Let us provide a dose or reality for the vacationers who are headed our way.
We just took a hit from a Category 3 Hurricane. At this moment there is another storm (Emily) headed towards the Caribbean and who knows where after. The damage is devastating. Mosty of the homes built under the post Andrew code requirements fared well. But there are other issues that are going to take time to sort out.
If you are planning on visiting our lovely area in the next few weeks, then you need to realisitically understand that the beaches are NOT going to be refurbished, the walkovers will NOT all be replaced, and all the debris will NOT be picked up by the time you arrive on Saturday.
What existed along 30A last Saturday changed radically by Monday.
Yes, tourism is the lifeblood of our economy here. Yes, we know how you have planned and dreamed about your vacation in our area. Yes, we realize that your kids expect to be able to play in our wonderful sand beaches...
But no one has a magic wand that can make it like it was overnight.
You need to manage your expectations. Scroll back through this discussion thread and look at the pictures posted here. They represent the length and breadth of what happened along 30-A. Most of the beach is gone. Debris is piled everwhere. Most of the walkovers are gone - and if they could replace them overnight, there is still the beach erosion situation.
The local agencies will work as fast as humanly possible to get things fixed - but it ain't gonna happen by the time you are scheduled to arrive this Saturday, or next Saturday or the Saturday after that.
We own rental property on Captiva which was slammed by Charley last year. Many rental properties in that area are still not repaired or available this summer season - and it has been 10 months since the hurricane.
Our properties here fared better - but we have damage. We will lose rental income and there are families that are very disappointed that they have to change plans at the last minute. We empathize with them. But there is nothing that we can do.
We hope that your rental property here is available for you when you were planning to come - but be realistic in your expectations of what you'll find regarding the beaches, walkovers, storm debris etc. when you get here. There are only so many people and so many resources available to fix things and it takes time. There is NOT a giant mountain of white sand hidden somewhere that can be placed on the beach tonight.
What you will find is folks who have a positive attitude and will make your stay as amenable as possible. Many of the people who will take your order in our restaurants, bag your groceries in our supermarkets or mix your drinks at our bars have suffered damage and/or loss of their personal homes. You may be slightly inconvenienced for a week. These folks will smile and help you all day and then go home to deal with their problems at night, and they'll still be doing so weeks from now, long after you've returned home.
So come visit us. Bring the kids. Let them see how powerful mother nature can be but also let them see how a community comes together and helps its people through a tough time. :welcome:
Sometimes a little adversity makes for an interesting experience.
Mike & Stephanie
Bradenton, FL / Atlanta, GA
Edited
MGMGBeach ComberDecatur, GA20 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
I just got through to BRoSW and they said we are good to come down Saturday!! Now it's official..... :clap_1::clap_1: WooHoo! We are headed down on Sunday and renting with BRofSW so that is awesome news!
JBJBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
JBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticGreat post, Sailin'. Couldn't have said it better myself.
spinDrAtlspinDrAtlBeach Fanatic367 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
High Pointe has personnel in the rental office today. I think the pool may be ready to go also, but not 100% sure.
Minimal damage outside of the walkover being clipped off at the top of the steps, as someone noted earlier. I had heard that there may be some beach access near Rosemary somewhere, and also down by Inlet Beach, but this is unconfirmed also.
Minimal damage outside of the walkover being clipped off at the top of the steps, as someone noted earlier. I had heard that there may be some beach access near Rosemary somewhere, and also down by Inlet Beach, but this is unconfirmed also.
OhioBeachBumOhioBeachBumBeach FanaticMidWest OH814 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
OhioBeachBumBeach FanaticMidWest OH814 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI saw a notice in today's (07/12) edition of a local online paper (www.nwfdailynews.com), bottom of page A5, that said "Walton County beaches remain closed until further notice.". Not unexpected under the circumstances.
Add insult to injury, 5 day storm track forcast for Emily looks disturbingly similar to the Dennis track... :bang:
Joe / Kurt & other helpful locals: You all and this site has been both a big help and an eye-opener - thanks much. We make it down next year (looks like a bust hand this year), going to devote at least one day out of the week to pay-forward in the beach area. Not much, but maybe a small counter-balance for some of the less enlightened visitors...
Add insult to injury, 5 day storm track forcast for Emily looks disturbingly similar to the Dennis track... :bang:
Joe / Kurt & other helpful locals: You all and this site has been both a big help and an eye-opener - thanks much. We make it down next year (looks like a bust hand this year), going to devote at least one day out of the week to pay-forward in the beach area. Not much, but maybe a small counter-balance for some of the less enlightened visitors...
NatureboyNatureboyBeach Crab1 postJoined View profileMessageBeach Crab
We are headed down to Blue Mountain Wednesday. What will be the closest beach access. I know most walkovers are gone in that area. My family has been coming to the area for years and is not going to let this storm stop us from having a wonderful time. Thanks for providing a place to get acurate information, or the decision may have been different. :clap_1:
JBJBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
JBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticWe are headed down to Blue Mountain Wednesday. What will be the closest beach access. I know most walkovers are gone in that area. My family has been coming to the area for years and is not going to let this storm stop us from having a wonderful time. Thanks for providing a place to get acurate information, or the decision may have been different. :clap_1:
Purely a guess, as I have not seen it first hand, but considering the bluff at Blue Mountain, I doubt there is any way to access the beach there. Your closest alternative would be either Grayton or Ed Walline. Either would require driving (and you would have nowhere to park at Grayton.
I hope your rental has a pool :lol:
GraytonBoundGraytonBoundBeach FanaticThe Nooga947 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
GraytonBoundBeach FanaticThe Nooga947 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticHigh Pointe has personnel in the rental office today. I think the pool may be ready to go also, but not 100% sure.
Minimal damage outside of the walkover being clipped off at the top of the steps, as someone noted earlier. I had heard that there may be some beach access near Rosemary somewhere, and also down by Inlet Beach, but this is unconfirmed also.
Pool is not ready but they're working on....cant get on the beach at Rosemary.....got there at Inlet & walked to High Pointe...severe damage to gulf front houses at Inlet.
Driving on 30-A you can really see no signs of damage to houses.
kareshackkareshackBeach ComberRoswell, Georgia18 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
I just got through to BRoSW and they said we are good to come down Saturday!! Now it's official..... :clap_1:
Fantastic help- I have not had such luck getting through but it is nice to hear good news. What part of the beach will you be staying on. We are at o2Easy i can not tell you exactly where it is but I know it is beach side. Thanks for the info
betty o.betty o.Beach Crab2 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Crab
We would like information on the Santa Rosa Beach area, specifically Gulf Trace. We have rented a unit for the week of July 30th through Ray Enterprises and have not been able to reach anyone. Please advise.
Betty
Betty
Sailin'Sailin'Beach CrabAtlanta, GA / Bradenton, FL3 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Crab
Beaches are CLOSED til further notice!!!
Folks:
THE SOUTH WALTON BEACHES ARE CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!
From beachesofsouthwalton.com
We are currently assessing any damage in Beaches of South Walton, and the beaches remain closed. We encourage you to contact specific properties to inquire about individual travel plans. We will be updating this Web site, and our partners Web site (http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com) on a regular basis, so please check back for more details. :idontno:
So at this point, the location of the nearest beach access or the condition of your walkover is a moot point!
Mike & Stephanie
WaterColor
Folks:
THE SOUTH WALTON BEACHES ARE CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!
From beachesofsouthwalton.com
We are currently assessing any damage in Beaches of South Walton, and the beaches remain closed. We encourage you to contact specific properties to inquire about individual travel plans. We will be updating this Web site, and our partners Web site (http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com) on a regular basis, so please check back for more details. :idontno:
So at this point, the location of the nearest beach access or the condition of your walkover is a moot point!
Mike & Stephanie
WaterColor
Philip_AtlantaPhilip_AtlantaBeach Lover140 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
Philip_AtlantaBeach Lover140 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverSailin' - excellent 1st post.
Here is info I got from Rosemary Beach regarding it's access - for what it's worth :
"We lost a significant part of our beach, all of our walkovers, and most of our observation decks. The dune was eroded back to its peak point along most of the beach. I am told this is a little worse than after Opal. I have cut a trail down to the beach by the Western Green for temporary access. Tomorrow we will drop some steps down, first at the Western Green and then at the Eastern Green if time (our DEP and county permits expire on July 15th) allows."
Here is info I got from Rosemary Beach regarding it's access - for what it's worth :
"We lost a significant part of our beach, all of our walkovers, and most of our observation decks. The dune was eroded back to its peak point along most of the beach. I am told this is a little worse than after Opal. I have cut a trail down to the beach by the Western Green for temporary access. Tomorrow we will drop some steps down, first at the Western Green and then at the Eastern Green if time (our DEP and county permits expire on July 15th) allows."
Rather B PaddlinRather B PaddlinBeach Lover178 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
We would like information on the Santa Rosa Beach area, specifically Gulf Trace. We have rented a unit for the week of July 30th through Ray Enterprises and have not been able to reach anyone. Please advise.
Betty
Based on previous reports on Gulf Trace.
If your unit is gulf front - not good. If not gulf front it should be ok. I believe the rental office has taken a hit.
PassatfishPassatfishBeach Comber16 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
Fantastic help- I have not had such luck getting through but it is nice to hear good news. What part of the beach will you be staying on. We are at o2Easy i can not tell you exactly where it is but I know it is beach side. Thanks for the info
We are staying at the Cottages at Camp Creek. I believe that is near Santa Rosa Beach!!
kareshackkareshackBeach ComberRoswell, Georgia18 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
Re: Beaches are CLOSED til further notice!!!
I just spoke with the people at the website link you directed us to and they informed me that the beaches are closed while they assess damage and pull debris from the h2o. They expect the beach to be up and running by thursday or friday. Thank you for the link and info. :blink:
Folks:
THE SOUTH WALTON BEACHES ARE CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!
From beachesofsouthwalton.com
We are currently assessing any damage in Beaches of South Walton, and the beaches remain closed. We encourage you to contact specific properties to inquire about individual travel plans. We will be updating this Web site, and our partners Web site (http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com) on a regular basis, so please check back for more details. :idontno:
So at this point, the location of the nearest beach access or the condition of your walkover is a moot point!
Mike & Stephanie
WaterColor
I just spoke with the people at the website link you directed us to and they informed me that the beaches are closed while they assess damage and pull debris from the h2o. They expect the beach to be up and running by thursday or friday. Thank you for the link and info. :blink:
JBJBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
JBBeach FanaticTuscaloosa1,445 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticRe: Beaches are CLOSED til further notice!!!
Do you work for the TDC?
Your first post was awesome. This one, however, is a little high-handed.
Folks:
THE SOUTH WALTON BEACHES ARE CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!
From beachesofsouthwalton.com
We are currently assessing any damage in Beaches of South Walton, and the beaches remain closed. We encourage you to contact specific properties to inquire about individual travel plans. We will be updating this Web site, and our partners Web site (http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com) on a regular basis, so please check back for more details. :idontno:
So at this point, the location of the nearest beach access or the condition of your walkover is a moot point!
Mike & Stephanie
WaterColor
Do you work for the TDC?
Your first post was awesome. This one, however, is a little high-handed.
kareshackkareshackBeach ComberRoswell, Georgia18 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
Re: Beaches are CLOSED til further notice!!!
It does make things sound a little grim, I suggest that everyone do a little of their own research. I think that all of the folks down there are doing everything they can to get everything up and running for their tourist.
It does make things sound a little grim, I suggest that everyone do a little of their own research. I think that all of the folks down there are doing everything they can to get everything up and running for their tourist.
MGMGBeach ComberDecatur, GA20 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
Re: Beaches are CLOSED til further notice!!!
It does make things sound a little grim, I suggest that everyone do a little of their own research. I think that all of the folks down there are doing everything they can to get everything up and running for their tourist.😀 Now surely things will be better by Sunday.. Everyone needs to send out good vibes for the beaches and bad vibes for Emily...
alankatalankatBeach Comber7 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
We would like information on the Santa Rosa Beach area, specifically Gulf Trace. We have rented a unit for the week of July 30th through Ray Enterprises and have not been able to reach anyone. Please advise.
Betty
We, too, rent at Gulf Trace and I spoke to one staff member early this morning. Keep trying to reach them directly for confirmation regarding your rental of course, but know that the office property (on the water) fits that description much too literally now. They are moving office files into one of their rental properties at the moment.
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