The Brief
- Fort De Soto Park reopened on Friday, December 20, after extensive damages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
- The park’s East Beach opened to the public on Thursday, December 19.
- Both storms toppled trees, destroyed buildings and tables and blocked trails and roads.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Fort De Soto Park rangers welcomed back visitors on Friday for the first time since back-to-back hurricanes caused catastrophic damage.
The park’s East Beach opened to the public on Thursday. That section, along with the rest of the park, had been closed since Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding. Hurricane Milton furthered the damage.
“That surge [from Helene] really pushed things all over the place. Milton came a week and a half later and littered it on top with tree debris, so there wasn’t much of a opening anywhere,” said David Harshbarger, the park’s manager.
The storms toppled trees, destroying buildings and tables, while blocking trails and roads. Harshbarger said crews worked countless hours to get the park partially reopened before Christmas.…