B A H I A H O N D A

GEORGES' WRATH

Sadly, perhaps the most beautiful of the Florida Keys suffered severe damage from Hurricane George. (9/25/98) Following are images of the damage. For some I had a "before" image, others not, but anyone who has seen the place; will see the vast difference. Click on any images to see a larger version, then close the picture window to return here

The path up to the old bridge was a completely tree canopied path from edge to edge. The first image, is before looking towards the bridge from near the end of the path. The after is from a place about 50 feet farther back in the other direction Note no canopy and the path itself is hardly discernible

Next is the cozy seaside Amphitheater. The after picture is from a bit to the right of where the entrance path was, where there was a solid line of trees. Note that not only is the screen, and nearly all vegetation gone, what you can't really see is that the screen is now only about 20 feet from the water.

The west end bathing station used to be nearly invisible, now only a few trees remain, and it is in the wide open. Also the beach that used to be a gentle and sandy slope to the water, is now a 3-4 foot sharp drop, that necessitated the construction of several new stairways, and that slope is very hard though not solid ground marl (the dead coral base of the islands), not sand. The North side fared much better, especially seen from the distant view of the old bridge.

Speaking of the old bridge not only did it survive the much more catastrophic 1935 hurricane, even after left to the elements, unmaintained for 20 years and now about 75 years old,... virtually unchanged... Guess Henry Flagler knew what he was doing when it came to bridges.

The point south of the bridge did not fare well though. This was not a completely isolated stand of trees before, (nor could it have been seen from the bridge path). Also note in the background, that the small island south of the bridge, which was mangrove covered is now virtually bare.

At the time these pictures were taken, (late 12/98 when the park reopened) the east end of the island was still closed and guarded by a sheriff's car. From what I have heard from rangers though, the beautiful Sand Spur beach was severely damaged, much lost, including all the buildings. (This is the area where my previous beach pictures were taken) So too, I imagine, is that wonderful old dead driftwood kind of tree.

In the end though, nature will take its course and recover in its own way. While it may be some time before it will be near the same place, there is still much beauty to be enjoyed. Hopefully too, as a place that that has been a long protected natural area, and uncontaminated by human imports and influence, there will be little intervention of man in that process.

As of May 24th, 1999, hopefully the restored facilities will be ready, and the east end of the island will reopen in June sometime. For a look at, the healing that has occurred elsewhere so far, click Here.