The beaches along Pinellas County’s coastline, a cornerstone of the area’s economy, bore the brunt of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Local leaders are now calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to fast-track critical beach renourishment efforts.

“Our beaches are what people come to Florida for,” State Representative Linda Chaney told Fox 13 Tampa Bay. “We have to protect them.”

The urgency has intensified, with leaders emphasizing the need for action before another storm strikes.

“What we’re seeing now is up to a million cubic yards of sand loss, which is absolutely dramatic,” said Pinellas County Public Works Director Kelli Levy. “For context, we placed about 1.2 million cubic yards during our last nourishment project in 2018.”

County officials have had beach renourishment plans ready for years but have faced delays waiting for federal approval and funding.

“Our primary focus is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to make this project happen as soon as possible,” Levy added. “Really soon.”

READ: Pinellas County Focuses on Resilient Recovery for Storm-Ravaged Beaches

Hurricanes Helene and Milton highlighted the consequences of delayed action. According to Commission Chairwoman Kathleen Peters, the beaches were five feet lower in elevation than normal after Hurricane Idalia, exacerbating the recent storm damage.

“If the beaches had been fully renourished beforehand, some of the damage could’ve been significantly reduced,” Peters said.

Levy echoed the sentiment, noting that federal assessments placed the county’s beaches in the “red zone,” indicating a critical level of vulnerability. The county has since submitted emergency permit requests to the Army Corps of Engineers and is also developing its own beach restoration project as a backup plan.

“Maintaining infrastructure like this isn’t a one-time effort,” Levy said. “It requires regular, periodic maintenance.”

Tourism, the county’s top economic driver, depends heavily on the health of its beaches.

“Our beaches are our most valuable asset when it comes to tourism,” Peters said.

If federal support continues to lag, the county is prepared to explore alternative options to ensure the beaches are restored before the next storm season.

“The county is committed to doing whatever it takes to bring our beaches back and protect our properties,” Peters affirmed.

County leaders also addressed delays in the permitting process for storm-damage assessments in various municipalities.

“Each city controls its damage assessments, and while the state has provided additional resources, the process must follow FEMA’s strict requirements,” County Administrator Barry Burton explained. “Most inspections are now complete, and cities are moving forward with issuing substantial damage letters.”

Officials are working to expedite the process but urged residents to remain patient as recovery efforts continue.

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(Image credit: Fox 13 News Tampa Bay)