ENVIRONMENT

Beachside segment in Daytona Beach Shores receives Tiger Dam erosion protection

Brenno Carillo
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Construction crews install a Tiger Dam system Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, south of Frank Rendon Park in Daytona Beach Shores. The system is intended to offer a temporary protection against future erosion caused by storms.

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES — Tropical storms Ian and Nicole not only brought enough rainfall to flood several streets in the Daytona Beach area, they contributed to rising waters on the beachside that shocked residents by eroding the sand, bringing down seawalls and pulling homes into the ocean.

Now, with several homes and condominiums still at risk and without protection against future storms, state and local authorities are coordinating to temporarily protect a severely damaged segment in Daytona Beach Shores.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and Volusia County have begun installing a Tiger Dam system in front of properties just south of Frank Rendon Park, which itself remains closed due to erosion. The large, water-filled tubes extend several feet on the sand.

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“Tiger Dams function as temporary dykes and are made of large reusable tubing of various sizes that are weighed down with water in order to protect buildings and critical infrastructure,” Alecia Collins, emergency management’s communications director, wrote in an email to The News-Journal.

Construction crews installing a Tiger Dam system, Tuesday Nov. 29, 2022, south of Frank Rendon Park in Daytona Beach Shores. “Tiger Dams function as temporary dykes and are made of large reusable tubing of various sizes that are weighed down with water in order to protect buildings and critical infrastructure,” said Alecia Collins, emergency management’s communications director.

“They also have the ability to be stacked in order to protect against higher impact areas as needed and can be deployed on most types of ground in variable lengths and heights.”

Collins said that the decision to install the Tiger Dam in this area was because “this particular location is in a clear, unobstructed path that is free of debris, which expedited installation.”

“Homes in this area received major damage with many pools falling into the sand below,” she added.

Collins said the "first permitted portion is completed" in Daytona Beach Shores, but she couldn't say when the entire structure would be finished. The total cost hasn't yet been determined.

Residents still working to protect homes

Several residents in affected areas, especially in Wilbur-by-the-Sea, have said the permitting process to rebuild their permanent seawall protection has been slow.

During a meeting with Volusia County officials at the Wilbur Boathouse last month, residents asked for more clarity about the process and how they can protect their homes from the next storm.

Florida Department of Emergency Management and Volusia County officials stand at the edge of eroded Frank Rendon Park in Daytona Beach Shores, right next to where construction crews are installing a Tiger Dam system, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.

Homeowners and beachfront condominiums must apply for a  Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) permit with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to rebuild their lost seawalls.

Daytona Beach Shores Building Official Steve Edmunds told The News-Journal last month that about 3,000 people had to leave unsafe buildings based on officials evacuating 1,572 single-family units in the city and figuring on an average of two people per unit after Tropical Storm Nicole.

According to the Volusia County property appraiser, Nicole caused more than $500 million in damages.

Collins said the department does not yet know how long the temporary fix will remain at this location, nor if more Tiger Dam systems will be installed in the future.