Flagler County is hoping to get millions to continue work on the battered dunes along the coastline. The county said this is one of the county's top priorities.

  • Flagler County working on a $20 million dune restoration project
  • Most areas lost 15 feet of dunes to hurricanes
  • County wants an additional $5 million for the project

"I️ would say the way they looked were non-existent," said Nate McLaughlin, Chair of Board of County Commissioner.

Beyond the rocks and some of the vegetation sits a nearly depleted dune system along Flagler County's coastline. It'll take money to restore it.

"There’s the sand, but you also have to put in the dune system, which requires certain vegetations that need to be replanted. There's walkovers that need to be put so that people are using walkovers and not walking across the dunes," said McLaughlin.

The county is right now working on a $20 million dune restoration project to help bring them back.

Both hurricanes Matthew and Irma caused the damage in the area. McLaughlin said most areas lost about 15 feet of dunes.

"We have to put that back, otherwise you’re going to lose all your land mass before you know it. You’re into your state roads and homes and septics going into the system. That’s what we’re trying to avoid there," said McLaughlin.

So far the county has gotten money from the state's emergency fund, but it's vying for $5 million more to help with getting the correct sand and bidding process.

McLauglin says the dunes protect more than 1,000 homes in the area.

"It's a top priority for the commission. It's important that we reinforce this portion, its a part of our tourism," said McLaughlin. "Folks come to Flagler County for our fantastic beaches and it's important that we maintain that it's a part of our economic machine."

County officials say luckily additional sand was added prior to Irma, which eased some of the impact after the storm, but it still set their project back.

The state legislature is currently in committee weeks. No decisions have made on the funding request at this time.