A Volusia County beach tower that has helped keep an eye on beachgoers and surfers over the years could become a hazard after it was pummeled by Hurricane Matthew.

  • Beach patrol tower in Ormond-by-the-Sea damaged by Hurricane Matthew
  • Volusia County officials said the building will eventually be demolished
  • Florida Power & Light said electrical wiring around the building is safe

The now-dilapidated beach patrol tower in Ormond-by-the-Sea is Volusia County Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue's northern-most lifeguard headquarters. It housed lifeguards who keep swimmers and surfers safe.

Then Hurricane Matthew happened.

"Why do they leave it like this?" said Don Miller, a 67-year-old surfer who called the county to let officials know about the potential hazard the tower now poses. "We've always had this tower here to watch far and wide up and down the beach ever since they've been surfing here."

Capt. Tammy Marris, a public information officer with Volusia County Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue, said the tower was operable before Hurricane Matthew battered the coast. The storm destroyed one wall and compromised other parts of the building.

Miller said the county left the place wide open for anyone to enter in the days and weeks after the storm.

"It looks ugly," Miller said. "It looks like a liability as an attractive nuisance to kids (who) would like to have a party up there, I would think."

Marris said the county removed stairs to keep people from climbing into the building. They also posted signs to warn people that it is illegal to enter the structure.

The outside continues to have exposed wires, protruding nails and lumber moved by the storm surge and winds. A wooden board with protruding rusty nails is still dangling from the building, held up by an electrical cable.

"But if this is condemned, then they need to put something around it to keep people safe from under it," Miller said. “(It's) too inviting."

Marris said the county plans to demolish the building, but doesn't have a demolition date. Florida Power & Light have deemed all electrical wiring to be safe, Marris said.