Safety Harbor pier reopens two years after severe hurricane damage
Pier reopens after hurricane reconstruction
Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton roared through, the pier in Safety Harbor is open again. FOX 13's Kailey Tracy reports.
SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. - Two years after three hurricanes forced its closure, the Safety Harbor pier officially reopened to the public.
Hurricane damage
The backstory:
The waterfront landmark was initially damaged in August 2024 by Hurricane Debby while the city was waiting on permits for planned renovations.
Shortly after, back-to-back hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton exacerbated the structural damage.
New pier updates and resilience
What we know:
In addition to rebuilding the pier itself, crews restored surrounding parts of the boardwalk and replaced lighting along the adjacent walking path that the storms damaged.
Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub emphasized the landmark's importance as a central gathering spot for local residents, noting that a facelift had already been overdue prior to the 2024 hurricane season.
Cost of upgrades
By the numbers:
The combined cost to repair both the pier and the marina totaled slightly over $3 million.
The city got help paying for it from the state, FEMA and insurance.
The repairs to both the marina and the pier make them more resistant to storms.
Beloved location for families
What they're saying:
"I love it," Ayoub said. "I used to bring my two little daughters here all the time when they were little, and we'd go watch the sunrise when they wake up too early, and now I have a third daughter, and she's been deprived of going on the pier. She's only one. So now I get to bring her out here, let her enjoy the sunrise just like her older sisters. So, for me personally, I'm excited. I love spending time out there, especially with the family, and I know the whole city is excited too."
Official reopening
What's next:
The official reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m.
Work remains underway at the nearby marina, which also sustained severe damage during the 2024 storm season.
The Source: This information was gathered by FOX 13 reporter Kailey Tracy who spoke with the Mayor of Safety Harbor about the damaged pier and the upgrades after the storms.