Photos by:
Margaret Crovitz
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Hurricane Irene has caused significant damage at Canaveral National Seashore. The Playalinda Beach area, near Titusville, will remain closed until park management can conduct a thorough safety inspection and implement necessary repairs to roads and facilities. The Apollo Beach section, near New Smyrna Beach, was affected to a lesser degree and will remain open.
Playalinda Beach sustained major damage to all of its boardwalks. Some of these had just recently been repaired in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd. Damage was also caused to restrooms and the access road . Flooding deposited debris along a two and a half mile section of roadway, rendering it impassible. In some areas, erosion of the road shoulder has occurred. The ocean washed over the dune between Parking Areas #8 and #9, covering the road with several feet of sand.
At Playalinda Beach, Boardwalks 1 through 5 only received minor damage and have been repaired. Boardwalks 6 through 13, including handicapped-accessible walkways, sustained considerable damage and will be closed until repairs can be made. In the Apollo Beach area, the Administrative crossover and Boardwalk 1a at Parking Area 1 remain closed for repairs.
The park is working as quickly as possible to reopen Playalinda Beach in a timely manner. It is anticipated that by Thursday, October 21, 1999, sufficient repairs can be made to reopen the area. One the park opens, the public is reminded to stay on designated beach access sites and open boardwalks.
Scheduled park programs may be affected by the storm. Call Canaveral National Seashore Headquarters at 321-267-1110 for further information. |
