News Release

Canaveral National Seashore begins cleanup and recovery after Hurricane Milton

Overwash at one of the entrances to Playalinda Beach

NPS Photo

News Release Date: October 15, 2024

Contact: Laura Henning, 321-229-3766

The National Park Service (NPS) announced crews arrived today at Canaveral National Seashore to begin cleanup and stabilization efforts, following Hurricane Milton, which hit the area on Oct. 10. At this time, the park remains closed for the safety of visitors and staff so that crews and heavy equipment can safely conduct post-storm recovery operations. 

Since the storm passed, NPS staff have been assessing impacts at the seashore’s three districts. Damage assessments have revealed the following impacts: 

Apollo Beach  

• Numerous downed trees
• Considerable boardwalk damage
• Overwash on road

Playalinda 

• Boardwalks with varying degrees of damage require repairs before reopening 
• Significant dune erosion 
• Deep sand covering the Playalinda Beach Road 

Seminole Rest 

• Water from the lagoon is high and causing flooding of the grounds.  

The National Park Service anticipates a phased reopening starting with Apollo Beach, which is scheduled to reopen with limited access on Oct. 18 at 6 a.m.

For future updates on recovery efforts, follow Canaveral NS on Facebook and Instagram and online at www.nps.gov/cana. 

For information about status of neighboring Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island. 

Eldora Road covered with downed trees in Apollo District

NPS Photo