02/11/2024
Update from our Owners page on our website.
ANY OWNER who is in need of the password can call our office on Monday after 8 am or you may send an email to [email protected] Please reference your name unit & week and we will supply you with the password.
BAY AND BEACH CLUB
UPDATE/STATUS REPORT
HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON
Hurricanes Helene and Milton did extraordinary damage to all of the Pinellas County beaches. Indian Shores was a particularly hard-hit area and was one of the last beaches to be re-opened for residents and workers. One reason for the delay was the amount of sand and debris that buried Gulf Blvd. hindering safe access. First, we should note that even though we had significant and costly damage, the building did exactly what it was designed to do. The Primary source of damage to Bay and Beach was tidal surge flooding estimated at 8 feet. The force of the tidal surge completely buried the pool deck, whirlpool bath, fencing and gates in water and sand. It buried the pool restrooms and Tiki Hut are in approximately four feet of water and sand. The water and sand completely flooded the Gulf Side Parking Garage, Housekeeping Storage Closet and Maintenance Storage Closet and Gulf Side Elevator shaft. It then extended across Gulf Blvd. The water and sand flooding lessened significantly on Bay Side. However, the new underground electrical service box from Duke Energy that services the Bay Side Building was pulled up from the ground and in essence pulled apart by the storm. The end result of this is that we are still without power in the Bay Building and do not have any estimate from Duke Energy when they will repair this connector and let us restore power and test for damages. The Bay Side Elevator shaft was flooded as well. Both elevator shafts have now been pumped and the Gulf Side Elevator is working. We are hopeful when power is restored Bay Side that the elevator will likewise be relatively unharmed and will resume working normally (but this is unknown to us at this time). The elevator cars had been raised to the fourth floor to protect the car and equipment. The flooding did damage the pool and pool equipment as well as the pool and whirlpool bath shells. While this is substantial and costly damage none of the damage was structural and the rooms were unharmed.
After the water receded we were left with Mountains of sand and debris to remove. We started cleaning up after Hurricane Helene ended only to be quickly re-assaulted by Hurricane Milton. Fortunately, the damage from Hurricane Milton was restricted to some minor wind damage and debris and it did ruin quite a bit of our landscaping.
After Milton we began clean-up again. Given the amount of sand that buried the Gulf Side it took weeks of digging much of the digging was by hand and or smaller/specialized pieces of equipment which contractors had to rent to clean the pool, pool bathrooms and whirlpool bath. Finally, after weeks of digging we had two mountains of sand (which had dirt and debris mixed in the sand) near Gulf Blvd waiting to bring in bigger equipment for haul-off and removal. We had been informed by the county where to take the sand however the trucks were turned away as the facility said our sand was too “dirty” to be disposed of in their facility. So, we then faced a new dilemma. We could pay to dispose of the sand at $60 a ton. However, this would have cost us a small fortune because we would be charged for disposal and then would had to have reimburse the county for the sand they provided to back fill the beaches. Our Landscape Contractor saved the day. They brought in equipment to shift/clean the sand and then moved it load by load back to the beach so we did not have to pay for disposal.
So, our parking lots, decks, pool, whirlpool bath, restrooms and Tiki Hut are fairly cleared and cleaned. The Pool company has ordered the equipment we need and will install it, then they can acid wash and repair any shell/marcite issues with the pool and whirlpool bath that they may discover. Our landscapers will salvage the pool deck pavers and replace them. We are getting bids to replace the deck fencing and gates. As you may be able to imagine contractors are backed up and supply lines are sparse as many, many properties need the exact same supplies; so, our time lines are unclear. We had hoped to re-open by the end of November. However, we can’t re-open until power is restored to the Bay Side so realistically it will probably be December before we re-open.
As we have more reliable information on scheduling we will keep you informed but we will not attempt to “guess” until we can determine conditions more accurately.
Many of you have asked if there is compensation for the loss of your week covered by our insurance. As was discussed in Hurricane Idalia, no our insurance does not cover the loss of use of your week. Travel Insurance is an option for this type of coverage.
Many of you have asked if all of these repairs will be covered by insurance. No there are already some losses we know are not covered such as the pool/deck/pool equipment. Once all costs and insurance reimbursements can be determined the Board will determine how the extra costs will be covered.
Many of you have expressed frustration that we cannot tell you when we will re-open. We have no way to determine this. We have to go through all the procedures of FEMA, permitting, waiting on contractors, inspections and waiting until our new Certificate of Occupancy is approved however all that pales when compared to the fact we are at the mercy of Duke Energy, their contractors and our contractors for restoring power to the Bay Side Building.
Thank you for patience, concern and understanding as we work together toward our re-opening.
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