Dennis - damage reports & requests - merged to this thread

Pool still looks great!


Oyster Lake

These photos are from Dune Allen on Oyster Lake.

Dune Allen Loop

Foundation, or what is remaining.



Dune I condos at Dune Allen
Already damaged by Ivan and Cindy, it is not looking good.

The yellow house with the deck and picnic table dangling from the cliff is next door to the one I wanted you to look at. I am assuming the damage is similar.

It's about what I expected, so I am not as upset as I normally would be. I think for the next couple trips down there, I will stay at another place I know over on the bay. Very tranquil.

BTW, I haven't heard any reports of tree damage along the south shore of the bay. Anyone with info on that?

Thanks, Joe, for checking it out. Lotsa work to be done to get those homes and beaches rebuilt.

BTW, the photo to the left in my avatar was shot from the deck of that house in May 2000. Almost brings tears to my eyes when I think about how perfect the water and beach was that day.

Joe- I am Donna's sister and I'd like to say Thank You so much for the pictures of our house on Blue Mtn Beach ...as hard as they are to see at least we know what to expect...Thank You again.....you have no idea how much the pictures helped

Bullard House on July 12, 2005
I notice some screens out on the east side.

SJ,
There is no way to THANK YOU enough for the time and the pictures. It is so helpful to know what has happened to our property when we are so far away in TX. We have family coming in today and now they can get to taking care of fixing of what was broken.
You are the greatest :bow:
LM

Folks:

We are not trying to be heavy handed here, just giving those who are arriving soon a realistic perception of what to expect (managing expectations). To be honest, we are amazed at some of the posts here as it seems some people just don't understand the situation. "Access" or "walkovers" aren't the issues right now. The point is, once you get to the beach, what do you have?

I would suggest going back and looking at the photos posted here.

The beaches have been stripped of a deep layer of sand. They are down to the "hard-pack" and in may areas the underlying layer of peat (formed over hundreds and thousands of years with the literal ebb and flow of the sea) is exposed.

The pristine deep "sugar sand" that your kids are used to playing in is gone. There is no sand to replace it. As someone posted above, nature might accomplish this in 5-10 years - or more. The TDC beach replenishment funds took a hard hit with last year's storms. Basically, there is not enough sand or resources to replace the beach in the near future.

Most likely, it will require dredging. (Just WHERE did the sand go? The wave action and high tides ripped it loose and carried it back out to sea. It's out there, it will take heavy dredging machinery and lots of time to remove it from the ocean floor, sift it and return it to the beaches). Will that be done this season? Most likely not. This is the BEGINNING of the hurricane seasone. IF sand were replenished tomorrow, "Emily," or the next storm, could come along next week and take it out to sea too.

Our point is that many people posting here are concerned about beach access. Like it or not, the beaches have been ripped apart. In some areas, we saw raw sewage from ripped up and exposed septic tanks. In one cove near Grayton, we saw enough lumber piled up on the shore line to stock 20 Home Depots. We have grandkids. I wouldn't let my grand kids on the beach today. I probably wouldn't let them on the beach next week - or the week after. But that's just me.

The edges of the dunes, many resembling cliffs, are unstable and dangerous. They could come crashing down on people below at any time. There are houses that have been and will be condemed hanging over the edges of some of these mini-cliffs. Who is going to let their kid play below that?

Our point is that there are lots of things to do here besides going to the beach. Albeit, the beach has, is and always will be a part of the lifestyle and experience here.

People are working as hard as possible to get it as good as possible as quickly as possible. The labor pool has been depleted since last hurricane season. because of the massive amount of clean up and construction. There's a shortage of carpenters, tradesmen, and yes, "sand shovelers." Regardless of the manpower and resources, it will take a long time to return to "normal."

We do not work for the TDC but are involved in real estate development thoughout FL and the SE. We are native Floridians and have ridden many a storm out.

We understand the worry and conern about vacation plans. We have been on the phone for two days with the people who have rented our properties, working with them to insure that they have a good time, but honestly telling them that the beach is in pretty bad shape. To do otherwise does them a diservice.

Stephanie
WaterColor

Sorry for the long quote:


Sailin', there are many people who live here who are involved in real estate development. You are not the only ones. Our community is dependent on tourism, real estate, development, and all of the support services that make tourism possible. Every family in South Walton and probably most families in the entire county depend on visitors coming here. Not to mention the thousands of property owners who live elsewhere and rent out their beach homes for others to enjoy.

Everyone agrees that the beaches are devastated and that it will take a lot to bring them back. But we love South Walton--it is our home, where our children go to school, where we work, shop, and LIVE. Of course visitors need to know the truth as to the state of the beaches, but your posts are so negative. I think the posters here have been very open and honest. If anyone has any questions, there are plenty of photos.

The beach is only a part of South Walton. Those who love South Walton know that there is a great sense of community--it is a small town. The people here are wonderful. We have great restaurants, shopping, golf, tennis, an 18 mile bike path, cultural arts, movies under the stars, open air craft markets, concerts at Seaside. We understand that many will be disappointed with the beach and its condition breaks our hearts. We also want everyone to know that South Walton is a great place to BE ALIVE and, in spite of our recent trials, we would still rather be here than anywhere else.

Outflow at Lake Stallworth


From Stallworth Beach Access looking east.


Stallworth Beach looking east. (looks like Texas is okay from Dennis, but you guys are creeping slowly toward the Gulf. :(

We've got a large group coming in from all over (Bangkok, Seattle, LA, Oregon...) on the 16th, many of us leaving in the next few days to get there and we're not sure if we should reschedule.

We're staying in A Point of View and Summer Place right along the Seaside/Seagrove border. I know from this board that most businesses are open. Neither of the houses in on the beach and I've been told by the agencies that I would be contacted if the houses could not be occupied on Saturday.

Are the beaches really unsafe and/or closed at Seaside? This could be the major factor in our decision.

I really hate to sound petty and selfish, but I feel like I have an obligation to my guests to make sure I'm not giving them a bad ride and the rental companies are too overwhelmed to be very helpful.

Your help (and all that you've already given!) is very much appreciated. Thank you!

The yellow house with the deck and picnic table dangling from the cliff is next door to the one I wanted you to look at. I am assuming the damage is similar.

It's about what I expected, so I am not as upset as I normally would be. I think for the next couple trips down there, I will stay at another place I know over on the bay. Very tranquil.

BTW, I haven't heard any reports of tree damage along the south shore of the bay. Anyone with info on that?

Thanks, Joe, for checking it out. Lotsa work to be done to get those homes and beaches rebuilt.

BTW, the photo to the left in my avatar was shot from the deck of that house in May 2000. Almost brings tears to my eyes when I think about how perfect the water and beach was that day.

As I said, the owners of the house to which you are refering did not know you by the name which you gave me. They were on the porch ledge having fun in the Sun. They said they owned the house, so I did not take photos of it.

The owners I know are part of the same family but live in North Carolina. I have never met the folks from DeFuniak.

Nevertheless, thanks.

Sorry for the long quote:


Sailin', there are many people who live here who are involved in real estate development. You are not the only ones. Our community is dependent on tourism, real estate, development, and all of the support services that make tourism possible. Every family in South Walton and probably most families in the entire county depend on visitors coming here. Not to mention the thousands of property owners who live elsewhere and rent out their beach homes for others to enjoy.

Everyone agrees that the beaches are devastated and that it will take a lot to bring them back. But we love South Walton--it is our home, where our children go to school, where we work, shop, and LIVE. Of course visitors need to know the truth as to the state of the beaches, but your posts are so negative. I think the posters here have been very open and honest. If anyone has any questions, there are plenty of photos.

The beach is only a part of South Walton. Those who love South Walton know that there is a great sense of community--it is a small town. The people here are wonderful. We have great restaurants, shopping, golf, tennis, an 18 mile bike path, cultural arts, movies under the stars, open air craft markets, concerts at Seaside. We understand that many will be disappointed with the beach and its condition breaks our hearts. We also want everyone to know that South Walton is a great place to BE ALIVE and, in spite of our recent trials, we would still rather be here than anywhere else.

I agree - I LOVE this community and although the beach has always been beautiful, it is all the other things that you mentioned that have made me want to retire here. I am planning my dream home in Watercolor.

Cottage St - Grayton Beach


112 Cottage St - Grayton Beach

Boat Ramp Western Lake -Grayton Beach

I am not familiar with Eastern Shores.

Hi Smiling Joe, and thanks for responding to my post. Eastern Shores is on Eastern Lake Road, beside Commodore's Retreat. I saw a picture of the green four-plex, a few lots East of the BIG PINK house, behind Summer's Edge, and it is on the same road, only closer to Eastern Lake. Thanks for all you are doing. It is not about our vacation, but after 9 years we love SoWal and it is just heartbreaking to see what the locals are going through, and to see the beautiful beach ravaged. God bless you all.

Folks:


The beaches have been stripped of a deep layer of sand. They are down to the "hard-pack" and in may areas the underlying layer of peat (formed over hundreds and thousands of years with the literal ebb and flow of the sea) is exposed.

The pristine deep "sugar sand" that your kids are used to playing in is gone. There is no sand to replace it. As someone posted above, nature might accomplish this in 5-10 years - or more. The TDC beach replenishment funds took a hard hit with last year's storms. Basically, there is not enough sand or resources to replace the beach in the near future.

Most likely, it will require dredging. (Just WHERE did the sand go? The wave action and high tides ripped it loose and carried it back out to sea. It's out there, it will take heavy dredging machinery and lots of time to remove it from the ocean floor, sift it and return it to the beaches). Will that be done this season? Most likely not. This is the BEGINNING of the hurricane seasone. IF sand were replenished tomorrow, "Emily," or the next storm, could come along next week and take it out to sea too.

WaterColor

Wrong.

The horizontal areas of the beaches will recover in weeks and months with new sand brought in by wind and wave action. . The dunes will take many many years to rebuild. the good news is, statistically, we're not due for another major storm for 30 years. Here's hoping.

Dredging sand in August to build an 8' berm and immediately planting sea oats I would be in favor of. Leave the rest alone.

I have a few more photos to post and it will be this weekend before I can get to it most of them. I just wanted to get back to a small handfull of peeps with some photos of their homes. I am afraid that I have very bad news for some of you and good news for others. Let us remember to have a bit of sympathy instead of making outrageous comments regarding any of the upcoming photos. This will take a while, but I will give you doses of your homes and areas per post. For those of you who have lost your homes, I am sure you will be receiving very good energy from others.



For those of you Gulf-front owners on Blue Mtn Rd who were close to the back side of your lots, you now have the above notice on your door, and Officials with Walton Co are attemting to get in touch with you. Please remember that these messengers are delivering these to many people, and they are no happier about it than you.

Where are these houses in relation to the public beach acess? Are these the house dicussed yesterday (i.e, the pink and gold colored homes)

Quint

For those of you Gulf-front owners on Blue Mtn Rd who were close to the back side of your lots, you now have the above notice on your door, and Officials with Walton Co are attemting to get in touch with you. Please remember that these messengers are delivering these to many people, and they are no happier about it than you.

I saw maybe a 1/2 dozen notices or so - there are people in many of those house on that road that are not condemned.

SJ,
There is no way to THANK YOU enough for the time and the pictures. It is so helpful to know what has happened to our property when we are so far away in TX. We have family coming in today and now they can get to taking care of fixing of what was broken.
You are the greatest :bow:
LM

Phipps let me stay there for a wonderful week about 10 years ago. :clap_1: