FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. — Flagler Beach is still feeling the effects of this weekend’s powerful storms.

Officials say whipping winds and high surf are still making it hard for city employees to assess and respond to damage.

Flagler Beach City Manager William Whitson had his eyes glued to the coastline this weekend as waves battered the shore.

“And they were breaking up over the dune line,” Whitson said, pointing near the Flagler Beach Pier.  “This is about exactly what I was expecting — in fact I think we dodged a little bit of a bullet”

So far, Whitson said that they can see the storm caused some damage to a few beach walk overs, causing the city to rope them off. Because the winds are still so strong, city crews have not been able to send their drone up to asses more damage, but for the time being Whitson said it seems the south side took most of it.

“We are very fortunate that we didn’t take more damage, and we are following up making sure our assessments are correct before opening back up to normal,” said Whitson.

One issue they are keeping a close eye on is erosion, which is visible after this storm. For Flagler resident Stephen Wozniak, its a concern.

“I’ve been seeing this for 15 years, so I notice every year that the beach gets smaller and I would like it if it was wider,” he said.

Whitson said beach degradation is something the city plans to address next year with the Army Corps of Engineering dune restoration project. For Whitson, the project can’t start soon enough — and storms like this, he said, shows how badly it is needed.

“We are trying to protect and keep them intact so they protect us in events like this,” he said.

According to Whitson,  the city will keep the pier closed through Tuesday afternoon.

He expects several of the beach walkovers that sustained damage will stay closed through next week.