Due to the impacts of several hurricanes and nor'easters since Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Flagler County's coastline has seen unprecedented damage that it has not recovered from. As time goes on, the condition of the beaches and dunes continues to degrade with each passing storm. A healthy beach and dune system protects our community during storms, provides environmental habitat and supports a strong economy.
To date, the county has only been able to carry out piecemeal dune restoration projects that do not address the larger problem of sand loss from the beach and dune system. Although dune restoration helps buy time, the county needs an effective beach nourishment project to restore the coastline to historical conditions.
The Flagler County Beach Management Plan was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on October 16, 2023. It focuses on restoring and maintaining a healthy beach and dune system through periodic beach nourishment, and lays out a roadmap for rebuilding the beaches and dunes to a level that offers storm protection, a healthy coastal ecosystem and a thriving tourism industry.
Beach nourishment is the process of restoring beaches. It provides protection by rebuilding natural systems while reducing or preventing the consequences of beach erosion. Healthy beaches absorb the brunt of waves, wind, tides, currents and storms, allowing dunes to protect infrastructure.
Ongoing maintenance through periodic nourishment is required to protect our beachfront's accessibility, natural beauty and ecological vitality, as well as our community's economic viability.
Beaches are an integral part of the quality of life in Flagler County and support homes, businesses and related infrastructure such as roads and utilities for many residents and visitors. More than just a playground, our beaches:
This beach in South Carolina once looked very similar to ours, with persistent long-term erosion from hurricanes and nor'easters leaving very little beach at high tide. After a beach nourishment project, the same houses now have a dune and a wide beach.
Flagler County is one of many coastal areas that must decide how to increase resilience in the face of coastal erosion and flooding. The decisions we make today will affect the future of our beaches and, by extension, our local communities. The Board of County Commissioners is dedicated to restoring the natural beauty of Flagler County's beaches.