Sam Hill is normally found on the Flagler Beach Pier with a fishing pole in his hand. All that has changed, though, since Hurricane Matthew roared up Florida's east coast, damaging State Road A1A and the Flagler Beach Pier.

"I spend a lot of time out there," Hill said Wednesday. "Five to six hours per day. It’s been a damper lately. I can’t go out there and fish. You never know what you’re going to catch."

Flagler Beach partially reopened Wednesday as the battered sand, boardwalk and pier were toured by Sen. Bill Nelson and Flagler County officials.

Access to the beach can be accomplished at the following dune walkover locations:

  • North 4th Street
  • North 3rd Street
  • North 2nd Street
  • South 2nd Street (with working outdoor shower)
  • South 3rd Street (with working outdoor shower)
  • South 5th Street
  • South 8th Street

The beach is back open to swimmers and surfers, but there is still work to do, officials said.

The Flagler Beach Pier remains closed.

"We were only able to walk on it about 30 yards," Nelson said. "After that, it's been declared by the engineers that it is structurally unsound."

Some of the most visible damage to the pier is the lifeguard tower, which now leans. Crews assessed the damage as officials toured the area.

"It's definitely going to be a lot shorter," Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom said Wednesday.

There are signs currently up that tell people to stay at least 150 feet away from the pier on both sides, because divers will be out Sunday to get a closer look at the damage.

CLOSURES

  • The beaches north of North 4th Street and south of South 9th Street are closed.
  • The handicapped access ramp at South 2nd Street has been severely damaged and isn't open.
  • The Flagler Beach Pier will remain closed until further notice.

"We've worked extremely hard to open a portion of the beach to the public," Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom said in a statement. "Our goal is to keep moving forward with the restoration process. Getting our residents and visitors back to normal is a top priority, and I think we're taking a giant step toward accomplishing that goal by reopening a portion of the beach."


Portions of Flagler Beach officially reopened at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016. (Brittany Jones, staff)