Venice Beach, located in Sarasota County, Florida, has been severely impacted in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, with homes and streets engulfed by sand. Although the hurricane's eye made landfall several miles north, the storm surge and fierce winds transported massive amounts of sand from the beach into residential areas.
Renowned for its serene coastline, Venice Beach has witnessed several seaside homes submerged beneath sand piles reaching heights of 8 to 9 feet, approximately 2.4 to 2.7 meters. Striking images and videos from the region reveal fences, streetlights, and numerous palm trees entirely buried, creating a scene of utter devastation.
Widespread Impact of Storm Surge
The storm surge accompanying Hurricane Milton towered between 7 and 10 feet high (2.1 to 3 meters), exacerbating the damage in coastal zones and driving sand further inland. This natural disaster has caused substantial destruction, leaving the community grappling with its aftermath.
Cleanup crews have initiated efforts to remove the mountains of sand and restore normalcy to the affected areas. However, these extensive operations are expected to extend over several days.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The situation in Venice Beach remains dire, yet emergency teams are persistently working to clear streets and homes, aiding residents in reclaiming their properties after the hurricane's devastation. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the impacted zones as cleanup activities proceed.