Mexico Beach is a quiet haven on the extremely commercialized Gulf Coast of Florida. The popular beach destinations of Destin, Ft. Walton, and Panama City Beach are the polar opposite of this stretch of Highway 98.
I'm sure some people are traveling on U.S. Highway 98 would literally breeze straight through this quiet little village without more than a passing glance. You see, in Mexico Beach, there are no chain restaurants, no Golden Arches, no big box stores, or mega grocery stores. That's what makes Mexico Beach so unique to many people. What you will find in Mexico Beach are family-owned motels, rental properties, restaurants, gift shops, and fishing charters. People here know each other on a first-name basis.
If you come to the beach on vacation expecting high rise condos, waiting lists at restaurants and beaches so crowded you're afraid to take your eyes off your children, then Mexico Beach, Florida, is not for you.
On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael slammed directly into Mexico Beach at what would later be determined as a Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 161 mph.
The storm caused catastrophic damage from high winds and a devasting storm surge, particularly in the Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach, and Cape San Blas areas.
We visited one year later. The area and its citizens continue to struggle and rebuild. I took pictures to show that while the devastation is apparent, the people of Mexico Beach are rebuilding their lives, homes, and businesses.
Before Michael, you could drive for a few miles and have beautiful palm trees between the highway and the beach. There is now an unobstructed view of new sand dunes and young sea oats that have been replanted. The palm trees are gone.
Where beautiful homes once stood, there are glimpses of what those houses once looked like.
Where there were restaurants with hungry diners, you'll see those same restaurants with food trucks up and running to serve citizens, workers, and the occasional visitor who is passing through.
The bank is an armored truck.
I'll let the photos speak for themselves.
A friendly stuffed toucan sits on one of the pilings where Toucan's Restaurant stood. They will rebuild. Note the forks stuck in the piling.
The largest motel/hotel in this area is El Governor. They lost their office/lobby/gift shop area along with the pool and a beautiful annex which was adjacent to the main property. Thankfully, they are in full rebuild mode and hopefully will be open next Fall.
While my heart breaks for the devastation and loss of life Hurricane Michael caused, I am so proud of the resiliency of the people of Mexico Beach and the surrounding area. We are continuing to pray for all of you to have the strength and courage to rebuild your lives and livelihood and we will be there to support you in any way we can.
#mexicobeach #850strong #neverforgottencoast #mexicobeachstrong
So much devastation.
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