The Punta Gorda canal system suffered near catastrophic seawall failures due to Hurricane Ian. The staff has inspected and prioritized repairs in both Burnt Store Isles (BSI) and Punta Gorda Isles (PGI) neighborhoods. Projections are that three-quarters of a mile in BSI and over six and a half miles in PGI suffered some seawall damage and affected approximately 582 parcels. These projections will vary upwards or downwards as the assessment process continues

Mapping and an address list have been developed to enable resident tracking. The list includes visually inspected seawall failures as well as resident-reported failures. This is a cursory review. You may find your next-door neighbor’s seawall has failed, but your address is listed, or your next-door neighbor’s address is listed, but the failure extends to your home. If you suspect a seawall failure and neither your address nor your neighbor’s address is not on the list, please contact Public Works at (941) 575-5050. Canal Maintenance staff will update maps every couple of days until we are comfortable; we have captured all failures. Residents can view this information and more at https://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/services/canal-maintenance.

Failed seawalls have been classified as either HIGH PRIORITY (failed seawall with severe erosion or erosion close to structures), MEDIUM PRIORITY (seawall standing but not functioning with some erosion), and LOW PRIORITY (seawall has minor damage and functioning with little to no erosion).

 Several residents have inquired about their responsibilities and contractor responsibilities related to the seawall replacement. In summary, the seawall contractors will be responsible for removing the old seawall and anything in their way, including docks and davits, installing the new seawall, backfilling the area, and installing Floratam or Bahia sod. Residents are responsible for their own docks, lifts, fences, irrigation and water lines, electrical, and any other owner improvements in the vicinity of the seawall. Seawall contractors can usually work around freestanding docks that were not damaged by the seawall.  Residents with damaged docks and lifts are encouraged to contact a marine contractor to determine whether parts of your dock or lift can be secured and reused before the seawall contractor performs his work.

Media Release Hurricane Ian Seawall Information