October 9, 2022 – Top brass from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on Sunday traveled to Flagler County to survey critical beach erosion and flooding post Hurricane Ian along the coastline.
Brigadier Gen. Daniel H. Hibner, ACOE South Atlantic Division Commander, along with Jacksonville District Commander Col. James Booth and Jacksonville District staff members Milan Mora, Chief of the Water Resources Branch, and Senior Project Manager Jason Harrah met with Flagler County Engineer Faith Alkhatib and county commissioners Dave Sullivan and Greg Hansen for two purposes, and Flagler Beach Mayor Suzy Johnston and City Manager William Whitson, as well as Christine Barone, an engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation: to get a project overview from Harrah for the 2.6-mile project that is to begin in the next year and to take a walking tour of that same project area to survey damages.
“Despite all the damage suffered in other areas in Florida and the fact that the people in those areas truly need our help and attention, we are not losing sight of what has happened here in Flagler County,” Hibner said at the end of the tour. “There is importance in getting this project completed here, and we are going to get it done as quickly as possible.”
The project consists of the 2.6 miles from the north side of South 6th Street to the south side of South 28th Street. The Florida Department of Transportation is providing the local match.
“Our primary goal is prevention of damage to State Road A1A, a historically recognized roadway, and other property damage,” Harrah said, noting the Army Corps has multiple completed beach projects in Florida, and that those that washed away because of Hurricane Ian are being rebuilt without additional local funding. Emergency renourishment after storms within Army Corps project areas is 100% federally funded for 50 years.
Flagler County has been working to secure access easements of 141 affected parcels. To date, one owner responsible for two of those parcels has yet to grant access for the project to move forward.
“That’s always the hardest part,” Hibner acknowledged.
The tour also included areas to the north of the city limits, as supplemental funding from the Army Corps of Engineers could fast-track an additional study to create a secondary project area.
Resident Mark Langello invited the entourage to his home, which has conservatively lost 20 feet of dunes since Hurricane Matthew.
“It’s very helpful to see what you are dealing with,” Hibner said. “Thank you for inviting us.”
Alkhatib thanked the general for his time.
“Flagler County appreciates you for coming to our small county of 120,000 residents,” she said. “We work very well with the Army Corps and have great community partners. I know you won’t forget about us.”
