FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Flagler Beach police warned people to stay off of the sand dunes after they shared photos on social media showing recent damage they believe was caused by beachgoers.
Police said the damaged dunes are located on the northern portion of Flagler Beach, near Java Joint.
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“It’s absolutely unbelievable that it’s almost 2024 and the trampling of the sea dunes still occurs. The reality is it’s either ignorance or some people just don’t care,” the post read in part.
According to the post, police will be monitoring the more than 6 miles of sea dunes for violators
Police ask residents and visitors to only use dune walkovers to access the beach.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the beach and the dune system is the first line of defense against storms as it acts as a buffer between storm waves and coastal development or infrastructure.
Flagler Beach has dealt with several washouts of their dunes over the years from approaching storms.
In Nov. 2022, a portion of A1A collapsed from waves caused by Hurricane Nicole, forcing the closure of the roadway from 7th Street to 16th Street.
State Road A1A in Flagler Beach was also damaged in 2106 when Hurricane Matthew left stuck, leaving an an estimated $73 million in Flagler County alone. Nearly one mile of the beachside road collapsed after the hurricane.
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