Matthew leaves major damage in Northeast Florida

Storm damage on A1A in Flagler Beach (Source: Associated Press)
Storm damage on A1A in Flagler Beach (Source: Associated Press)

Hurricane Matthew did major damage to Florida property along the beachfront in the northeast corner of the state.

The storm smashed a major road, knocked down trees and power lines, eroded beaches, and flooded homes and businesses from Flagler Beach north to St. Augustine.

No Florida community took a bigger hit than Flagler Beach, which straddles the border between Volusia County and Flagler County.

Most homes and businesses in Flagler Beach have limited structural damage, but Hurricane Matthew chewed the community’s beach to pieces, destroying dunes, walking paths, and almost half of Highway A1A along the ocean.

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A motorcycle rally next weekend called Biketoberfest will bring thousands of motorcycle riders to Daytona Beach and nearby coastal towns. But the shutdown of A1A will divert them away from Flagler Beach, which will hurt local businesses.

The National Guard set up a post at the Volusia-Flagler county line to prevent motorists from driving farther on A1A, which recently had been reinforced in sections that the hurricane washed away.

Farther north, St. Augustine had no electrical power or sewage service as of Saturday evening. Water service was unavailable in parts of the city. But Mayor Nancy Shaver said despite significant damage to the city, it could have been worse, because the hurricane’s path shifted 20 miles out to sea as it neared St. Augustine. [Washington Post] Mike Seemuth