Possible Pic of DVC Vero Beach Resort! -It's ugly.

[madcoco]

Sick but thankful feeling here on the Coast. That is what is left of the Wabasso Beach Access. That was the lifeguard shack and bathrooms.See pic below. Rode the storm out on the mainland side in Melbourne and will never do it again!!! Many people were actually too wore out to pick up and leave this time around.It is bad in spots but could have been so much worse and try telling that to the many who have lost everything they own. Haven't been down past Floridana Beach north of Sebastian Inlet. Heading over that way tomorrow afternoon to help with cleanup. Haven't heard anything yet on the extent of the Resort damage. Structurally from the limited view pictures it looks intact but based on the size of the waves (rumoured to be 25-30ft with the storm surge) and 100 kt winds there is going to be water damage. Let us hope that is the extent of it. Just got power back on the mainland side in my relative's area yesterday.Their place here does not look any worse than after Frances thankfully just light water damage in an East facing bedroom.Still under curfew. No power at our place in Melbourne Beach and it is basically part of the beach. Beach Erosion is the worst I have ever seen in the area. Some spots have lost 50 additional feet of dune. AIA was impassible until yesterday afternoon due to heavy debris. Unfortunately damage is bad in the area and it gets worse as you head south on AIA. Yet again,one place looks untouched while the one right next to it has heavy damage.
Indian River Drive in Sebastian is closed off.The jogging sidewalks have eroded into the river in a number of spots. The local businesses/marinas on the River took a wallop once again but some including Captain Hiram's expect to reopen soon. US1 across the Sebastian River is still closed due to bridge damage. You never realize how much for granted you take power,water ice,traffic signals,restaurants etc.
Melbourne Airport reopened today and the Port reopened as well.

floridafam , other members on board and/or those who may have loved ones in the area, if you need help with cleanup or to check on property please send a PM and I will get in touch. Will be here for the next month at least. Hope to have some good news to report tomorrow. Mike

 

[madcoco]

If you compare mbhoxie's link pictures to these I took of Wabasso after Frances you can see how much additional erosion occured in this area.

IRC Beach Report

Partial View of Disney access and CB bathroom Building

Lifeguard Shack

 

[PamOKW]

Madcoco thanks for keeping us apprised of what's happening. I was pretty sure that was the public beach next door. Looks like Jeanne finished off what Frances started. Glad to hear you made out okay -- a big pat on the back and hug for helping your fellow Floridians. The whole thing is overwhelming to think about -- I can't imagine having to actually live through it.

I read one story about that said the road out the exclusive Sailfish Point area on Hutchinson Island is gone. The only way in and out is by boat.

 

[MarkRG]

Pam, I saw an overhead pic of the road you're referring to someplace in my hunt for VB pics. There are bits and pieces of the road left, but nothing even remotely passable.

Mike, thanks for being the guy on the spot and giving us some report.

 

[pumpkinboy]

 

[Schiffy]

This is what I got out of the on-line Sebastain Sun

"The worst hit areas include Wabasso Beach, at C.R. 510 and S.R. A1A, and Vero Beach's Conn Beach and Humiston Park Beach.

The boardwalk at Wabasso Beach was destroyed. The east end of the parking lot ends in jagged edges over the eroded beach, but several curious people have been checking out the damage."
as the pictures show. Thanks for the pictures!

 

[DIGGER68]

I lighted up that picture 44 so you can get a better look at the disney down the beach.

Digger68

 

[msdis]

Did anyone look at the video? It was quite grainy but it did look like Disney's resort shown there.

 

[Desperado]

I wonder if it is low tide or high tide. At high tide, the water used to come up to the beach access walk. If that's still the case, the beach will be much wider.

I don't imagine the public access beach next door will be hard to replace.

I know that doesn't apply to people's homes, and all those that are struggling in the area.

I'll miss the two shops that were there. They were the only non-DVC thing within walking distance you could stop in at. An icecream cone was a nice beach walk treat.

 

[Beth]

Thanks for the report, Mike - and thanks for helping those folks out!

We're still without power over here, but had no damage to our home.

 

[PamOKW]

It's kind of ironic but Peggy Fisher -- the Seaside Scoop lady -- followed the progress on the refurbishment of the restrooms at the beach last spring. That would be toilet laying by the ocean's edge.

 

[LakeAriel]

Florida has been devastated. God bless those people! It's almost as though he is angry.

 

[Kadorto]

Thanks for posting. Lets pray that we've seen the last of these storms for the rest of the year!

 

[madcoco]

Wish I some good news but could not get near the Resort today.
Could not get past the inlet this morning on AIA nor through the Orchid Island Causeway route.The National Guard is out and you must prove you are a local resident of that barrier island. An officer I spoke with could not give me much info about the VB resort other than it has severe erosion and water damage and a ton of sand in the pool again. So nothing much to report that you don't already know. Lots of damage in Sebastian. Indian River Drive is a mess and in a number of places it has partially eroded into the river. Lost 1/3 of the roof of the museum. The air conditioning unit on top landed in the parking lot. Severe water damage everywhere except for the gift shop. Worked all day getting the ceiling tiles and roof debris in the parking lot piled up. Lots of work to be done. The local trash dump was partially flooded so debris is piling up fast in the area. On a good note, Publix was open and the Bamboo Court Chinese restaurant was cooking with gas and a generator. In the poverty stricken area of Wabasso the Red Cross was out handing out meals at the market on SR-510
A number of trucks were also along 510 uprighting power poles as almost every pole along the road to SR512 was leaning and lines down or sagging. Well time to call it an early night. Mike

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the update, Mike.
It doesn't sound like great news, BUT.... I did laugh when I saw your picture of the commode!

MG

 

[MarkRG]

Some new ones of the area.

http://www.floridatoday.com/galleries/news/092904southaerials2/1.htm

Funny picture(click)

The road PamOKW was talking about (click)

Ocean Ridge building on Orchid Island (click)

Another house on Orchid (click)

Still can't find anything substantial on Vero itself, but will keep looking.

 

[MarkRG]

The only relevant picture I've been able to find today:

Mike Zerbe, normally a cook, walks through Captain Hiram's during a break from cleaning up the Key West Inn across the street. Cleanup at Captain Hiram's has ceased until insurance adjuster access damages.

 

[gracelrm]

I've been checking the Capt. Hiram's website - looking for a little pop-up like they had last time saying how they were and when they'd be open. Nothing has popped up and they even listed who was performing at the Sand Bar. I guess I was naive to think they were fine - apparently just too busy with cleaning up to update their website - or possibly they are still without power and can't. The picture MarkRG posted says a great deal :-(

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The barrier islands are now open in Indian River County. Maybe we'll hear some more reports now.

 

[MarkRG]

And here's a good example of why it may take some serious time to get all the utilities back in order, they really don't want to see this happen: Huge fire in Bervard(click)

Don't see any new info yet, other than Mike's excellent report here: VB Update (long)