After the storm.
Make the next step a safe one.

Prepare your records before conditions deteriorate

St. Johns County issues evacuation orders by zone, considering elevation, isolation and storm-surge vulnerability. Its guidance warns that hurricane category alone does not predict surge. Know the property’s current evacuation zone and keep official alerts available; a seawall is not a reason to ignore an evacuation order.

Before a storm, save photographs, the survey, permits, inspection reports, policy information and professional contacts somewhere accessible away from the property. Take normal-condition pictures from safe positions so later changes can be compared. Do not attempt waterfront maintenance once hazardous conditions approach. Evacuation Information

Keep away from a damaged waterfront edge

National Weather Service guidance warns against entering floodwater. After a storm, do not walk a displaced cap, cross an undermined yard or enter the water to inspect the wall. Keep other people away from suspected failures and obtain help for immediate danger.

Use a safe, distant viewpoint for initial photos. Where a utility may be affected, contact the responsible utility or emergency service. Let qualified professionals establish how the area can be accessed and whether temporary protection is needed. A surface that looks dry may still need investigation before heavy equipment or people use it. Coastal Flood Safety Tips

Record observations without diagnosing the cause

Keep original files and note what you could not see. Record who took each photograph and whether its date reflects the damage, the inspection or a later cleanup visit. Do not label every change “storm failure” if there was earlier deterioration; give the assessor the previous record and let the investigation distinguish possible causes.

Does urgent work still need authorization?

DEP’s coastal emergency procedures can apply after a declared storm emergency, with different conditions for the activity and location. Check the current order and local instructions before relying on a special permit route. A document issued for a previous hurricane may not cover today’s damage.

Ask the contractor to separate immediate temporary measures from the permanent reconstruction proposal. On the beach, equipment access and habitat requirements also need coordination. County coastal-construction access includes a training and application process. Keep authorization details with the work record, including any follow-up obligations. CCCL Emergency Permitting Special Use Beach Access Permits

Turn the observations into a clear repair scope

Request an assessment that identifies the affected components, the limits of access and the further information needed. Ask whether the proposal addresses the underlying problem or only the visible damage. Before approving replacement, establish how the new work meets the retained wall, drainage and neighboring edges.

• Contact the insurer and follow its documentation instructions.
• Check the contractor’s business, qualifier and insurance.
• Keep emergency and permanent-work invoices separate.
• Match any repair decision to issued permits and approved plans.
• Save the completion record for future inspections or a sale.

The insurance guide explains why home or flood coverage may not pay for a seawall. Use the assessment checklist and repair-or-replace guide when the immediate hazard has been addressed.

Make the first handoff short and specific

Once you can document conditions from a safe location, send a small, organized brief to the professional reviewing the wall. A clear first message helps them decide what access and expertise the visit needs.

Keep separate records for observations, emergency measures, the permanent repair proposal and the insurance claim. That makes later decisions easier to trace without assuming every change has the same cause.