As the peak of spring break approaches, tens of thousands of visitors are expected to flock to local beaches, even as communities continue to recover from last year’s hurricanes.

In Clearwater Beach, the historic Palm Pavilion has undergone significant renovations, with new floors, chairs, tables, and other upgrades after being gutted by recent storms.

“We’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Scott Hamilton, reflecting on the damage. Determined to reopen in time for spring break, he and other families worked tirelessly on repairs.

Drew Hamilton emphasized the importance of the season, saying, “This is what keeps our city going. There’s no more crucial time than from Valentine’s Day to Cinco de Mayo.”

Following the storm, city officials faced major cleanup efforts, dealing with sand-covered streets, debris along the shoreline, and structural concerns.

“The pier is currently inaccessible due to structural damage, and we need to ensure it’s safe before reopening,” Mayor Bruce Rector explained.

Despite these challenges, most restaurants, shops, and hotels have reopened. However, tourists may struggle to find short-term rental homes.

“The Airbnb and short-term rental market is still recovering,” Rector said. “Many were one-story homes that took a hard hit, and it will take time for them to bounce back.”

To expedite reopening, many restaurants adjusted their menus and operations to welcome back staff and guests.

“We just needed to get open,” Hamilton said. “Everyone on this beach did whatever it took to make that happen.”

The mayor urges visitors to avoid residential areas still undergoing repairs and warns that parking remains limited, with some public lots awaiting restoration.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: WFLA)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news