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Isaac Threatens Cape San Blas Lighthouse

Posted: Sun 4:30 AM, Sep 02, 2012

After being closed for Hurricane Isaac, the lighthouse at Cape San Blas was able to open it's door for the public, but if another storm comes, some are concerned their luck might run out.

"One more hurricane and we'll be done in," says lighthouse keeper Beverly Douds.

Douds has seen several storms hit the area and while Isaac wasn't the strongest, now that the lighthouse and keeper's cottage are so close to the Gulf, the potential for problems has grown.

"Since we opened 4 years ago, we've lost 5- or 600 feet of land."

The effort to move the lighthouse from it's current location to Port St. Joe has been gaining traction; but with a $325,000 goal, many are concerned that the money won't be raised in time. So far, $32,000 have been raised.

"This has happened without a major storm event," says Gail Alsobrook of the Port St. Joe Redevelopment Agency. "And if we have a major storm here then...we have to take care of this now. There's a true, real, dramatic sense of urgency."

For now, the lighthouse and keeper's cottage are intact, but Isaac has knocked down a fence, pushed land in, stripped all of the trees from the land and washed out part of the road.

Through all this Douds remains hopeful, but she hopes the money to move the lighthouse is raised soon so that the historic landmarks can be moved out of harms way.

If you're interested in donating funds to the effort, visit http://www.capesanblaslight.org.

The lighthouse is open for Labor Day weekend for visits, Sunday from 1 to 5 pm and Monday from 11 am to 5 pm.


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