Posted on September 20, 2023
Idalia stole some sand.
Manatee County commissioners Sept. 12 authorized asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for federal aid to rehab Anna Maria Island’s coastline in the wake of Hurricane Idalia.
The storm, passing about 100 miles west in the Gulf of Mexico Aug. 29-30, brought wind, rain and storm surge to the barrier islands. In parts of the island, people evacuated ahead of the storm and returned to find sand-covered streets and sea oats against the foundation of their homes.
In some AMI locations after Idalia, there was more Gulf beach but at other locations, including in Bradenton Beach at John Chappie Park and Coquina and Cortez beaches, many feet of beach — up to 150 feet — were lost.
Some of the erosion occurred in federal renourishment zones and some sand was lost in non-federal project zones.
The Corps has “federally authorized and constructed beach renourishment projects damaged and destroyed by wind, wave or water action other than ordinary nature,” according to a memo to commissioners from Charlie Hunsicker, director of the parks and natural resources department.
So the county moved to ask for federal help to restore sand in federal projects.
The letter to Army Corps Lt. Col. Matthew T. Miller in the Jacksonville District, reads, in part, “The Manatee County Shore Protection Project on Anna Maria Island received damages from Hurricane Idalia. We respectfully request that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluate and repair the damage to this project.”
According to the letter, county staff took beach measurements before and after the storm to document changes on the coast but more surveys are planned “to further evaluate damages to the federal design.”
Also, after Idalia passed, county officials joined representatives at the state and federal level — including state Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and outreach coordinator Savannah Sipsy from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s office — in touring AMI beaches to identify recovery needs.
The authorization to seek renourishment aid from the federal government was approved during the board’s vote on its consent agenda.
Also at the meeting, commissioners reviewed the preparation for and response to Idalia, which included: Declaring a local state of emergency, activating an emergency command center, ordering an evacuation of the barrier islands and all mobile home parks in the county, opening several public shelters, installing a temporary dam around Manatee Memorial Hospital, working with the American Red Cross to provide relief to people displaced in Rubonia due to flooding, handling more than 4,000 calls to the 311-information line and surveying the beaches after the storm.
Introducing a presentation, Charlie Bishop, named county administrator during the meeting, said, “We all know it was not a rain event, it was a storm surge event.”
The commission, with staff, also looked at issues during Idalia, including reentry procedures following evacuations and the concern that the county website at mymanatee.org went offline for at least 90 minutes.
By the numbers: Gulf shoreline changes
Before and after Hurricane Idalia in late August, a Manatee County team took measurements on Anna Maria Island beaches.
A look at shoreline changes in net feet:
- Near the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria: 34
- 78th Street in Holmes Beach: 47
- 65th Street in Holmes Beach: -10
- 25th Street North in Bradenton Beach: -24
- John Chappie Park in Bradenton Beach: -53
- Gulf Drive Cafe in Bradenton Beach: -48
- The Beach House Restaurant: -40
- Lifeguard Tower 3 in Bradenton Beach: -83
- Lifeguard Tower 9 in Bradenton Beach: -49
Source: Manatee County
Manatee approved for FEMA due to Idalia
The federal government announced Sept. 11 the addition of Manatee and Sarasota to the list of counties approved for individual and small business assistance following Hurricane Idalia.
The hurricane passed this area about 100 miles to the west in the Gulf of Mexico, sending rain, a surge of water and wind as it churned north Aug. 29-30.
The recovery assistance is being made through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA, in a news release Sept. 11, said homeowners with insurance policies covered by the National Flood Insurance Program should file claims as soon as possible and that advance payments could be available for some policyholders.
Policy holders should begin the process by contacting their insurance agent or provider and initiating a claim.
FEMA also said homeowners with damage from both wind and flood need to file two claims: a homeowner’s insurance claim and a flood insurance claim.
And, if filing a flood claim, property owners should ask about receiving advance payments before a visit from an adjuster.
FEMA also advised those whose flood insurance policy recently expired to ask their agent if they are within a renewal grace period. Owners might be able to pay in full to renew and be covered for a loss.
For more information, go to FEMA’s disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362.
And, for the latest specific to Idalia, go to floridadisaster.org/updates/ and fema.gov/disaster/4734.
