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Also Damaged By Hurricane Matthew: Florida's Beaches

WLRN 91.3 FM | By Amy Green

Published October 11, 2016 at 8:25 AM EDT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is assessing Hurricane Matthew’s damage to Florida’s beaches. Beaches in central and north Florida sustained the worst damage. In Flagler County a stretch of A1A collapsed. In St. Johns County a new inlet was carved out of the shoreline.

Jackie Keiser of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the damage is significant considering the economic boost beaches give to tourism and property values.

“We’re looking at on the order just in Florida $100 million to potentially $300 million to put that sand back.”

Many beaches also are engineered to protect against storm surges. Keiser estimates Florida’s beaches prevented up to $2 billion in property damage during Hurricane Matthew.

She says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering the possibility of a sand shortage.