Florida starts pilot program in Volusia County to save damaged dunes

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. – Florida’s emergency administration crew is getting inventive find methods to bolster Volusia’s shoreline after the current storms. Dozens of houses and buildings caved in or have been deemed too harmful for residents after the storm surges brought on by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole wiped away their dunes and seawalls.

On Monday, the state began putting in a pilot system on the seaside in Daytona Seaside Shores utilizing a system known as a Tiger Dam.

[TRENDING: New video shows man missing since Thanksgiving | Scantily clad Jacksonville Jaguars mascot causes social media stir during game | Become a News 6 Insider]

It’s the primary time the state has ever used it on the seaside, however the hope is it would principally function a brief seawall for the properties which are hanging on by a thread.

“What we’re making an attempt to do is cease that the place it’s at and just about purchase the house owner a while to determine what they’re going to do to mitigate that,” stated Jim Bujeda, deputy director and Florida SERT chief for the Florida Division of Emergency Administration.

The water-filled tubes can be stacked, making a dam with the purpose of guarding the dunes from the tides.

“The plan is that the load of these Tiger Dams can be sufficient to chase away the wave motion of the ocean coming in,” he stated.

Bujeda stated they simply obtained the allow to begin the pilot challenge. He stated they’re beginning with a number of hundred yards close to Frank Rendon park in Daytona Seaside Shores.

“The proof of idea can be in the truth that anymore erosion can be prevented from the houses and dunes which have been eroded away,” he stated.

Bujeda stated the system was used equally in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. He stated now, seeing the shoreline right here, Florida wanted to get progressive, and shortly, earlier than extra excessive tides.

Based on Volusia County leaders, as of Monday, 16 buildings are nonetheless too unsafe for folks to reenter.

“You’ve obtained loads of tourism that comes out right here that they’re going to finish up shedding some huge cash. You might have loads of houses which have been destroyed as you noticed additional down the shoreline and we’re making an attempt to cease that. We’re making an attempt to get this neighborhood again on its toes,” Bujeda stated.

The state stated as soon as it determines if the dam works on that stretch of seaside, it would deliver it to extra areas alongside Volusia’s coast. It has not set a timeline but for the way lengthy it will likely be right here however stated if it really works, officers will hold it right here lengthy sufficient for householders to rebuild seawalls.

Get immediately’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Every day: