County releases post-Hermine damage assessment

Although crews observed dune erosion throughout Siesta and Casey Key, the county’s post Hurricane Hermine damage analysis concluded that limited property damage resulted from the storm.

However, the high tides did result in widespread coastal flooding on Siesta Key, particularly on the northern portion of the island near Beach Road and Avenida Messina.

The area near the South Siesta Beach Nourishment project, which was recently completed in May of this year, also showed signs of beach erosion and 5 to 10 feet of dune erosion. Yet, Hermine caused only minor losses in beach vegetation on the southern portion of the South Siesta Beach Nourishment project area.

Casey Key also experienced dune erosion throughout the island. In addition, a return wall at 2120 Casey Key Road was further exposed due to beach erosion. The wall experienced erosion during Tropical Storm Colin in early June, bringing the eroded bluff within five feet of the roadway. According the county’s post-Hermine assessment the roadway is now just two feet seaward from the roadway.

As of Sept. 1, the county's initial assessments estimated $700,000 in damages as a result of Hurricane Hermine.