Tropical Storm Debby came in a hurry and left a trail of destruction behind.
"We've had damage in several places," said Jake Lewis, Supervisor of Gulf County Public Works.
"Just about every dirt road in the county has got some damage as far as pipes issues and stuff like that," said Lewis.
Concrete piping has cracked under pressure alongside Road 20. The dirt road connects Port St. Joe to White City and is commonly used by motorists trying to bypass beach traffic.
"It was just more water than they can handle and it washed around them and they just started coming apart," said Lewis.
The ten mile stretch of roadway has several areas where joints have caved in leaving piping exposed. Lewis says repairs could cost the county thousands of dollars...
"As far as man power,equipment, and pipes you could be looking at fifteen to $20,000 at each section," said Lewis.
Storm surge from Debby also caused beach erosion. Officials estimated an 8 foot loss of Gulf County Beachfront.
"We got lucky the storm really missed us for the most part," said Port St. Joe resident Steve Wich. "There wasn't a huge storm surge but if there was a larger storm surge or we got hit with a hurricane we would have serious problems."
FEMA is now offering public assistance in the area.
"I've seen it before and we just have to keep reinforcing and rebuilding the public infrastructure," said FEMA spokesman Tim Tyson. "That's what everybody pays their taxes for and that's why we are here."
A public meeting will be held in Port St. . Joe on Monday so FEMA representative can help officials understand the reimbursement process.
"We are bringing that process to bear in the county so that the public sees their tax dollars coming back to them through FEMA," said Tyson.
FEMA pays 75% of the cost of public assistance. The balance is then shared by the county and state.
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